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Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is still spewing out lava, and new cracks in the earth are opening hours after it erupted
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is still spewing out lava, and new cracks in the earth are opening hours after it erupted
Alexandra MaMay 18, 2018, 17:50 IST
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 17: Lava erupts following eruptions at the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island on May 17, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively in the early morning hours today launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Mario Tama/Getty
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The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island erupted on Thursday.
It has continued to spew out lava and opened up new several fissures some 14 hours after the event.
Officials in the area are warning locals to steer clear of the molten flows.
Lava flows and several fissures started pushing out lava around the volcano site on the east of Hawaii's Big Island, emergency authorities on the island said.
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 17: Lava is blurred as it erupts from a Kilauea volcano fissure, above treetops, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 17, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively in the early morning hours today launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Mario Tama/Getty
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 17: Lava erupts from a Kilauea volcano fissure on Hawaii's Big Island on May 17, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively in the early morning hours today launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Mario Tama/Getty
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The lava, which was seen by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at 6 p.m. Thursday local time, is the pahoehoe variety. This means the molten rock is low in viscosity, appears smooth, and generally moves slowly.
Authorities warned citizens to beware of fallen utility lines and poles, and the spread of toxic gas emanating from the ash plumes.
HVO's warning came after an explosive eruption at 4 a.m. that day.
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 17: Lava erupts and flows from a fissure following eruptions at the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island on May 17, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively in the early morning hours today launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Mario Tama/Getty
KAPOHO, HI - MAY 17: Lava erupts from a Kilauea volcano fissure on Hawaii's Big Island on May 17, 2018 in Kapoho, Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively in the early morning hours today launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Mario Tama/Getty
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There has been intense activity around the Kilauea volcano for more than a week.
It had already spewed ash and lava from existing fissures, caused earthquakes, shot out "ballistic blocks," and destroyed at least 30 buildings. At least 1,700 residents have evacuated from their homes.
A geologist inspects cracks on a road in Leilani Estates, following eruption of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii May 17, 2018.United States Geological Survey (USGS)/Handout via REUTERS
The USGS earlier this week issued a rare "red alert" warning, its highest level, meaning that a major volcanic eruption was imminent or underway and that the toxic ash clouds could affect air traffic.
Thursday's explosion sent an ash plume around 30,000 feet high.
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Two astronauts also reported being able to see an ash plume from the volcano from space earlier this week.
