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A new fissure from the Hawaii volcano is spattering lava - and it's just east of a geothermal energy plant
A new fissure from the Hawaii volcano is spattering lava - and it's just east of a geothermal energy plant
Michelle Mark,Associated PressMay 13, 2018, 07:00 IST
Lava erupts from a fissure east of the Leilani Estates subdivision during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, U.S., May 12, 2018.Reuters/Terray Sylvester
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A new lava fissure has opened up on Hawaii's Big Island in the vicinity of a geothermal energy plant.
Just hours after the fissure opened up on Saturday morning, red and black lava had piled up about 40 feet high and more than 150 feet in length, while magma chunks sprayed up to 100 feet in the air, Reuters reported.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has been continuously erupting for years, but an uptick in eruptions and earthquakes in recent days have ramped up the danger for residents of Hawaii's Big Island.
Thousands of people have now been forced to evacuate, and the eruption has already destroyed dozens of structures. Geologists are warning that the volcano's summit crater could soon begin spewing huge boulders and ash.
The US Geological Survey said lava spatter erupted from the new fissure Saturday morning, which brings the total number of fissures to 16.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports the fissure erupted east of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant and northeast of the Lanipuna Subdivision.
Plant workers this week removed the 50,000 gallons of pentane stored at the site as a precaution.
Geologists are warning that the Kilauea volcano could shoot out large boulders and ash out of its summit crater.
President Donald Trump on Friday declared a major disaster exists on the Big Island.
His declaration will make federal financial assistance available to state and local governments as they repair roads, public parks, schools and water pipes damaged by the eruption.
