Hawaii volcano spews 'fountains' of lava as thousands evacuate
Nearly 2000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes in Hawaii following a volcanic eruption.
A series of fresh earthquakes on Friday, including a couple capable of causing considerable damage, hit Hawaii’s Big Island, where the Kilauea volcano has been spewing fountains of lava into residential areas and forcing evacuations.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the latest tremor at 12.32 pm local time measured a magnitude of 5.8.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said the quake, which was on land close to the volcano, was not large enough to cause a tsunami.
Its epicentre was located 19.3 km southwest of Leilani Estates, one of the communities where lava has been burbling up from the ground from newly opened fissures or vents.
A new fissure opened up just before the latest tremor on Friday, the Defense Agency said in a text message, making a total of four found so far in residential areas.
The volcano, one of five on the island, began erupting on Thursday after a series of earthquakes over the past week, the USGS reported on its website.
Residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions, home to about 1,700 people, were ordered to evacuate after public works officials reported steam and lava erupting from fissures in the road, the Civil Defense agency said.
No injuries or deaths were reported.
According to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, a 150m-long fissure erupted with lava for about two hours in Leilani Estates at about 5.30pm.
Resident Dale Miller, 58, said there are currently lava tubes, natural tunnels which drain lava during eruptions, on his property.
“The whole thing is Swiss cheese,” he said.
Lee Begaye, Mr Miller’s partner, said “it felt like there was something under the house” described it as feeling “like a big snake”.
Another resident, Ikaika Marzo, told Hawaii News Now he saw “fountains” of lava as high as 38 metres.
Civil defence officials have warned the public about high levels of sulphur dioxide near the volcano, one reason for the evacuation orders. The gas can cause skin irritations and breathing difficulties.
Keala Noel, 64, another resident, said she didn’t feel the lave was directly threatening her but moved to a shelter after struggling to breathe.
Two emergency shelters were opened to take in evacuees, the Civil Defense Agency said, while Governor David Ige activated the Hawaii National Guard to provide emergency help.
“Please be alert and prepare now to keep your family safe,” he said on Twitter to residents living near the volcano.
