Thousands flee as Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts and lava spews out near homes
Lava and steam are emerging from new ground fissures in a residential area
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted on Thursday, causing lava to spew out of ground fissures in residential areas and prompting authorities to order thousands of people to evacuate.
US Geological Survey authorities of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory unit were assessing the eruption, which followed dozens of earthquakes in recent days and began around 4.45pm local time, according to the agency.
Local news footage showed streams of lava snaking through a forest, while the Hawaii County Civil Defence Agency reported “steam and lava emissions from a crack in Leilani Subdivision in the area of Mohala Street” following the blast, forcing all residents to leave the affected area.
At 10.30am a magnitude 5.0 earthquake south of the Puu Oo volcano cone triggered rockfalls and potential collapse into a crater on the volcano, according to USGS.
“A short-lived plume of ash produced by this event lofted skyward and is continuing to dissipate as it drifts southwest from Puu Oo,” an advisory from the agency said, warning that “anyone downwind may experience a dusting of ash.”
The giant pink-hued plume was seen rising above the zone, with authorities warning of subsequent “lava inundation,” fire, smoke, and additional earthquakes.
Hazards also included “potentially lethal concentrations of sulphur dioxide gas” in the zone as well as methane blasts that could propel large rocks and debris in adjacent areas.