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Hawaii’s Big Island remains on high alert after the Kilauea volcano spent a day spewing lava into residential areas, forcing hundreds to evacuate, and a series of earthquakes, included a powerful tremor, shook the island.
Scientists and local officials warned residents that seismic and volcanic activity may continue after a 6.9 tremor shook buildings on the island’s southeast corner at little after noon local time.
And more lava fissures were reported in a residential subdivision of the Leilani Estates, where some 1,700 residents have been ordered to evacuate.
“Until we see earthquake activity dying down and the ground stops moving, it’s likely that this activity is going to continue,” said Tina Neal, a scientist in charge at the USGS Hawaii Volcano Observator.
Saturday, May 5
1.27pm update: Mount Kilauea volcano – quick facts
The Kilauea volcano is 4,009 feet tall – or 1,221 metres – and is a Shield volcano.
The USGS described the threat potential as “very high” – and the volcano has been erupting since 1983.
Kilauea is the youngest and southeastern most volcano on the Island of Hawaii. Topographically Kīlauea appears as only a bulge on the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa.
The volcano is made up of basalt and research shows Kilauea has its own magma-plumbing system, extending to the surface from more than 60 km deep in the earth.
AFP/GETTY – REUTERS
Hawaii volcano eruption: The Kilauea volcano continues to spew lava and ash
1.09pm update: Magma movement helped to trigger volcano eruption
Wendy Stovall, a volcano expert at the US Geological Survey, said the eruption and subsequent earthquakes were triggered by the movement of magma underneath the eastern flank of the volcano – an area known as the East Rift Zone.
She claimed it is not unheard of for strong earthquakes – even those bigger than magnitude 6.9 – to follow volcanic activity.
And she added: “Even though it sounds like it’s really high, it’s not high for an opening phase for a more voluminous and dynamic long-lived eruption.
“What we don’t know is whether there is more magma that’s going to come into that system. There’s some signal there is more magma in there.
“But the latest data hasn’t told us yet whether magma is moving into the Lower East Rift Zone.”
1pm update: Friday’s 6.9 magnitude earthquake did lead to some minor tsunami waves, scientists say
Initially, it was unclear whether the quake triggered any changes in the ocean as , at first, scientists said there was no tsunami activity.
But some experts later confirmed a small tsunami was generated.
“It did generate a very small tsunami around the coast of the Big Island, and we’re even seeing very small sea level fluctuations, less than a foot in amplitude,” said Dr. Charles McCreery, director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
“But it’s enough to let us know that the earthquake did cause the ocean to move and it did generate a small tsunami.”
REUTERS
Hawaii volcano eruption: Big Island has been hit by the latest volcano eruption
12.51pm update: Incredible footage recorded in Leilani Estates on Hawaii’s Big Island shows a bursting pocket of lava spouting into the air from a crack in the pavement
The video shows a street being blocked by the huge fissure, which is filled with bubbling lava, as it burns down an electricity pole.
Clouds of smoke can also be seen releasing from the cracked concrete as huge levels of pressure builds up underneath.
12.21pm update: Where did Hawaii earthquake hit?
The epicentre of the latest volcano was located 11 miles southwest of Leilani Estates, where some 1,700 people have been ordered to evacuate.
A preliminary 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck the region earlier on Friday.
The seismic event – reportedly Hawaii’s biggest earthquake since the 1970s – was preceeded by reports of a 5.4-magnitude earthquake that struck roughly 11 miles southwest of the same area, the USGS said.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre declared that the huge quake – recorded by the USGS as a magnitude 6.9 tremor – struck at 11.33am local time on Friday.
11.34am update: Tsunami fears have piqued after the latest earthquake in Hawaii
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says the quake wasn’t strong enough to cause a tsunami.
But several reports do state that there were small tsunami waves around the Big Island. No tsunami threat or advisory has been put in place.
AFP GETTY
Hawaii volcano eruption: Lava has poured into the nearby estates
GOOGLE
Hawaii volcano eruption: The earthqauke was 11 miles away from Leilani Estates
11.16am update: Fire department personnel continue to detect high levels of the gas in the evacuation area
Exposure to high levels of sulfur dioxide can be life-threatening, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Sulfur dioxide ingetsion can result in burning of the nose and throat and breathing difficulties.
The state’s Emergency Management Agency warned that senior citizens, the young and people with respiratory issues are especially vulnerable.
Officials say they will continue to monitor the situation.
10.58am update: Residents say Kilauea volcano erupt is “not done”
“After the first eruption yesterday on Mohala Street, I said ‘she’s not done. This is not done.’ There’s too much lava in the system,” resident Ikaika Marzo told Hawaii News Nows.
On Friday afternoon, Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said officials were in talks over safety conditions.
He said: “We talked about what our policies will be. Yes there is a mandatory evacuation meaning people should know there is a high risk of destruction.
“But we have tried to set a policy that we’re going to try help each and every one individual that we can, to allow them to (return), even stay if it’s safe enough.”
10.49am update: Two homes had been destroyed in the latest activity, Mayor Harry Kim says
Officials said earlier in the day that first responders may not be able to rescue residents who refuse to heed the evacuation warnings.
For those who have evacuated, Mayor Kim said the county plans to house and feed them for “as long as we need to.”
Mayor Kim added: “This is something that people who buy there and live there, they have to accept that that’s the risk of that area.”
10.47am update: Scientists and local officials warned residents that seismic and volcanic activity may continue
A 6.9 tremor shook buildings on the island’s southeast corner a little after noon local time on Friday as more lava fissures were reported in a residential subdivision, where residents have been ordered to evaucated.
“Until we see earthquake activity dying down and the ground stops moving, it’s likely that this activity is going to continue,” said Tina Neal, a scientist in charge at the USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory after a community meeting attended by about 300 people on Friday.
Some attendees shed tears as they asked officials about looting, travel restrictions and safety precautions at the Puna Geothermal Venture, a power plant in the eruption area.
“Today’s been a challenging day for everyone,” Neal said.
10.21am update: Thousands have been left withouot power as activity rages on
About 14,000 customers of Hawaii Electric Light lost power immediately after the earthquake.
Spokeswoman Rhea Lee-Moku said: “It’s kind of like being on some kind of carnival ride if you will. We are being shaken all the time.
“We’ve had some unofficial reports there have some damage to some buildings.
“When you are exposed to that level of SO2 in the Leilani Estates area you need more protection than we have available to us.”
Hawaii Electric Light added that it had restored power to roughly half of its customers that had been left in the dark following the tremors.
But sulfur gas levels in some areas are beyond what Hawaii Electric Light deems safe so they cannot work in those places.
10.15am update: Recap – A series of fresh earthquakes on Friday hit Hawaii’s Big Island
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the latest tremor at 12.32pm measured a magnitude of 6.9.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said the quake, which was on land close to the volcano, was not large enough to cause a tsunami.
KHON reported some viewers on the island of Oahu, about 200 miles away, felt the shaking.
AFP GETTY
Hawaii volcano eruption: Locals have braved the lava with their cameras
10.11am update: At least five new volcanic vents have opened and at least one home and another structure were destroyed by lava
Hundreds of people have evacuated from Leilani Estates, a community of about 1,700 people as more fissures opened up in the region.
Harry Kim, mayor of Hawaii County, said the government will support residents, saying: “We have to work with them as to how we are going to minimize (the inconveniences) as best as possible.”
The mayor added people who want to check on their homes would be allowed into the neighborhoods.
9.30am update: Despite the dramatic evacuation order and strict warning, locals have been braving the fiery flames – to take SELFIES
Bizarre images from the scene show locals and tourists alike taking huge risks to get snaps of the volcano eruption.
In one picture, a firefighter is seen taking photos near steam rising from a fissure in Leilani Estates subdivision on Hawaii’s Big Island.
In another, a man watches as lava is seen coming from a fissure in the estate – sending bubbly molten liquid gushing into the air.
9am update: Some buildings suffer minor damage after eruption and quakes
Talmadge Magno, Civil Defense administrator, said “nothing came of” the earthquake, though four or five landslides damaged the coastline and one road was shut down in the area. Magno said some buildings had “minor” damage.
Magno also said a fifth “vent” had opened up following the earthquake, spewing lava onto another local road.
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