Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano releases lava into residential area, county orders evacuation
Posted May 3, 2018 8:00 pm.
Last Updated May 3, 2018 11:31 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is releasing red lava into a residential subdivision, prompting the county to order mandatory evacuations.
Hawaii County spokeswoman Janet Snyder said Thursday red lava emerged on Mohala Street in the Leilani Estates subdivision. The county is ordering evacuations for homes from Luana Street to Pohohiki Road.
The eruption comes after days of earthquakes rocked the Puna district of the Big Island.
Earlier in the week, the crater floor of the Puu Oo vent collapsed. That caused magma to push more than 10 miles downslope toward the populated southeast coastline of the island.
The US Geological Survey says new ground cracks were reported Thursday afternoon. Hot vapour emerged from a crack and spattering lava began to erupt.
The USGS says areas downslope of the erupting vent are at risk of being covered by lava. Currently, the Leilani Estates area appears to be at greatest risk.
But scientists say new vents and outbreaks could occur and it’s not possible to say where.
