The Kilauea volcano first erupted on 3 May 2018, and has been sending a streaming flow of lava into residential areas of Hawaii’s Big Island since. Kilauea has burned 40 structures, including two dozen homes. Approximately 2 000 people have evacuated their homes, including 300 who were staying in shelters.
Authorities have ordered residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens to take shelter in local community centers. Volcanic vents, or fissures, have cracked the ground across the area open gobbling up dozens of homes and vehicles.
The eruption came after hundreds of earthquakes hit the island’s eastern side. Since Kilauea’s massive eruption on 3 May, more than 2 000 quakes have struck on and around the Big Island.
On Sunday, authorities warned the public to stay away from a toxic cloud that formed by a chemical reaction when the burning hot lava touched sweater. White plumes of acid and very fine shards of glass has billowed into the sky over Hawaii.
The volcano’s eruption has not caused any deaths.
Here is a look at massive lava eruptions on the Big Island of Hawaii on the flank of Kileaua Volcano as scene today by John Tarson from Epic Lava Tours #BigIsland#hawaii#hawaiivolcanopic.twitter.com/dISXTB0qYu
— Island Hopper TV (@islandhoppertv) May 20, 2018
Hawaii’s Civil Defense Agency warned people to stay away from the plume, called laze — an amalgamation of lava and haze — which is toxic and can cause eye and skin irritation and lung damage.#hawaiivolcano pic.twitter.com/uTRReEy8Va
— Jeremy Song (@tezuma75) May 21, 2018
?Fountaining from Fissure 20 on May 19, 2018, around 3:47 PM, HST. The view is hypnotic to say the least in daylight.#hawaiivolcano #Kilaeua #lava #fissure20 #LeilaniEstatesEruption pic.twitter.com/XoDsjyP3Ft
— eep (@01110000_) May 21, 2018
Pray for the people of #Hawaii#hawaiivolcanopic.twitter.com/HToVl9LT7h
— Jack Gay (@jacksback2007) May 24, 2018
Living in #Taiwan with #earthquakes is one fact of life, but in #Hawaii when the floor becomes lava with toxic gas is nothing to take lightly! Video credit-unknown #volcano#hawaiivolcano#youtube#youtuber ##blogger#vloggers#saturday#travel#RoadSafety#SafetyFirst#photopic.twitter.com/72HA3GbuIG
— Eric Williams (@mrdadplus3) May 5, 2018
Picture: Instagram/Twitter
