Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano remains active; Hundreds forced from homes
Dangerous conditions around the Kīlauea Volcano on the eastern side of Hawaii's Big Island continue to keep hundreds of residents from their homes.
Following frequent earthquake activity, the Kīlauea Volcano on the eastern side of Hawaii's Big Island erupted on Thursday, prompting mandatory evacuations of several nearby communities. On Friday, eruptions, along with several large earthquakes, continued to rattle the island.
The eruption began around 4:45 p.m. local time in Leilani Estates, which is near the town of Pahoa, on Thursday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Evacuation orders remain in effect on Saturday
"Eruption of lava in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continues," the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said on Saturday. "Several additional eruptive fissures or vents--each several hundred yards long--have opened over the past day."
The USGS reports that no significant lava flows have formed at this time.
"Spatter and lava are accumulating primarily within a few tens of yards of the vent," the report stated. "Additional outbreaks of lava are expected."
Evacuation orders remain in effect for all residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions, according to a statement from the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.
About 1,700 residents live in Leilani Estates. The Hawaii National Guard has been activated to assist with evacuations.
Two shelters have been opened to house the evacuees.
"The Hawaii Fire Department reports extremely dangerous conditions due to high levels of sulfur dioxide gas in the evacuation area," the statement read. "The high levels detected are an immediate threat to life for all who become exposed. First responders may not be able to come to the aid of residents who refuse to evacuate."
An emergency water restriction has also been issued for the area.
Strongest earthquake since 1975 strikes Big Island on Friday
While many of the hundreds of small earthquakes reported earlier this week were below a magnitude of 3.0, several larger earthquakes were reported around the Big Island on Friday.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m. HST Friday, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred on the south flank of the volcano, the USGS reported. This is the strongest earthquake to hit the island since a magnitude 7.1 quake occurred on Nov. 29, 1975.
(Image/USGS)
About one hour earlier, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred about 11 miles southwest of Leilani Estates and shaking was felt on the islands of Oahu, Molokai and Maui. A short-lived plume of ash rose into the air following the quake. The plume of smoke and ash dissipated as it drifted to the southwest, the USGS said.
About 14,000 customers were left without power following Friday's quakes.
No damage to roadways or Hilo International Airport was reported, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
Lava is seen burning near homes in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano on Thursday, May 3. (Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)
Emergency proclamation signed by Hawaii's governor
Hawaii Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation to free up money for response efforts.
"The danger is of such magnitude that it warrants preemptive and protective action in order to provide for the safety, health and welfare of the residents of Leilani Estates and surrounding areas," a statement from the governor's office read.
Hawaii officials said on Friday morning that two homes have been burned by lava in a rural Big Island subdivision.
Hawaii Electric Light said it expected to maintain sufficient power despite the emergency shutdown of a geothermal power plant.
The Kīlauea Volcano is located in Volcanoes National Park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announced on Friday that they will be closed for the safety of visitors and employees.
In this photo released by U.S. Geolgogical Survey, a plume of ash rises from the Puu Oo vent on Hawaii's Kilaueaa Volcano after a magnitude 5.0 earthquake, Thursday, May 3, 2018 in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (U.S. Geolgogical Survey via AP)
Initial signs of the volcano's eruption
On Monday afternoon, April 30, the crater within Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō collapsed, and a flurry of low magnitude earthquakes continues to shake the eastern side of the island, particularly communities in lower Puna, officials said.
Some ground cracks in the community of Leilani Estates were reported to the (HVO) on Wednesday. These cracks result from deformation of the ground surface due to the underlying intrusion of magma, the HVO said.
Several sets of new, small ground cracks were observed on roads around Leilani Estates subdivision on May 2, 2018. (U.S. Geological Survey)
This map shows the closed portion of Volcanoes National Park, which extends from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent to the ocean. (NPS Map/Mark Wasser)
This image shows the number of earthquakes reported around the Big Island of Hawaii over the last seven days as of May 4, 2018. These earthquakes were all reported to be a magnitude of 2.5 or higher. (Image USGS)
