Guatemala Volcano Update – Fuego Volcano Erupts

by Yogesh on June 4, 2018

Guatemala Volcano Update – Fuego Volcano Erupts

Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted for the second time this year. Guatemala Volcano Update – Fuego Volcano Erupts. It kills at least 25 people and leaving dazed residents covered in ash as they searched for loved ones.

The volcanic eruption Sunday spewed a river of red, hot lava and belched thick clouds of smoke nearly six miles into the air, according to the CONRED, the government agency for disaster reduction. In addition to the fatalities, 20 others were injured, it said.

Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales declared three days of national mourning. Survivors described the horror and destruction during the eruption.

“Not everyone escaped, I think they were buried,” Survivor Consuelo Hernandez said. “We saw the lava was pouring through the corn fields and we ran towards a hill.”

Hernandez told officials from the disaster agency that some of her relatives were buried.

Some firefighters wept as they left the scene.

Immediate Evacuation

Residents living near the volcano were urged to evacuate immediately, and some in the states of Chimaltenango, Sacatepequez and Escuintla were warned to watch out for volcanic rocks and ash.

More than 3,100 people have been evacuated while search and rescue efforts continue into the night, said Sergio García Cabañas, director of the agency. The explosion will affect 1.7 million people.

At least 15 people have been hospitalized, including 12 children, some of whom suffered severe burns, the health ministry said.

The eruption officially ended late Sunday, according to Guatemala’s National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology.

“The eruption … is reaching its end with 14.763 feet of ash and weak to moderate explosions and incandescence in its crater,” it said in a statement.

But it warned there could be new eruptions, and residents in the surrounding areas should be on alert to lahars and mudslides containing volcanic material. Volcanic ash had spread in a 12-mile radius around the volcano and winds could carry the cloud even farther, officials said.

Twenty-five people have been killed and hundreds injured in the most violent eruption in decades in Guatemala.

The Fuego volcano, about 40km (25 miles) south-west of the capital Guatemala City, has been spewing rocks, black smoke, and ash into the sky.

A flow of lava hit the village of El Rodeo, killing people inside houses. The main airport in the capital, Guatemala City, has been closed.

President Jimmy Morales has declared three days of national mourning.

Guatemala Volcano Update - Fuego Volcano Erupts

In a statement issued late on Sunday, he spoke of the nation’s “deep pain” caused by the “irreparable losses” in human lives.

Sergio Cabañas, head of the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (Conred), told a local radio station that a lava stream had changed course towards El Rodeo.

“Unfortunately El Rodeo was buried and we haven’t been able to reach the La Libertad village because of the lava and maybe there are people that died there too.”

Guatemala is situated on the “Ring of Fire,” an area of intense seismic activity.

The 40,000-kilometer (25,000-mile) area stretches from the boundary of the Pacific Plate and the smaller plates such as the Philippine Sea plate to the Cocos and Nazca Plates that line the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

Volcan de Fuego, whose name means fire, is one of Central America’s most active.

It is near the colonial city of Antigua. Sunday’s explosion rained soot over the popular tourist destination and other villages in the Sacatepéquez state, covering them in ash.

Villages south of the volcano in the Escuintla department were affected, too, Cabañas said. Lesser amounts of ash reached the capital of Guatemala City about 25 miles away, forcing the closure of its international airport. The Guatemalan army shared images of officers clearing the runway with push brooms.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto expressed condolences and offered assistance.

“All our solidarity and support to President Jimmy Morales and the Guatemalan people for the loss of human life after the eruption of the volcano of Fire.”

This eruption is the biggest since 1974, according to local experts.

Guatemala Volcano Update - Fuego Volcano Erupts

Mr. Cabañas later said the dead included a member of his agency’s staff.

Several children are among those confirmed dead.

Videos published by local media show bodies lying on top of a lava flow and rescuers attending to people covered in ash.

Officials have advised people to wear masks as protection against falling ash in four of Guatemala’s regions.

Guatemala Volcano Update - Fuego Volcano Erupts

The military is providing assistance, from rescue operations to setting up temporary shelters and clearing volcanic ash from the runway at Guatemala City’s La Aurora airport.

The President of El Salvador offered his condolences via Twitter and said he his country stood ready to assist its neighbor.

Israel’s Ambassador to Guatemala and the Mayor of Puerto Rico also expressed their solidarity.

Source: edition.cnn.com, bbc.com, maps.google.com

Azad Hind News

Disaster Weather World News

Hawaii Volcano Update: Magma flows are Hottest, Blazing Fastest

by Yogesh on May 31, 2018

Hawaii Volcano Update: Magma flows are Hottest, Blazing Fastest

Current magma streams are most blazing, quickest of most recent Hawaii well of lava ejection

The hottest and fastest-moving lava of Kilauea volcano’s latest eruption spread across new parts of the Big Island Wednesday, forcing officials to order evacuations in two coastal neighborhoods over fears that the rapidly advancing flows could cut off dwindling escape routes.

Overnight, the lava was moving fast enough to cover about six football fields an hour, according to U.S. Geological Survey scientist Wendy Stovall.

“Hawaii County Civil Defence decided to evacuate all of lower Puna to ensure that people would be able to get out,” Stovall said.

Lava gushed across and then along a roadway that leads from the commercial center of Pahoa toward smaller towns and rural farmlands to the east.

About two dozen recent fissures in that area have created towering lava fountains and bone-rattling explosions throughout the eruption. The lava that is currently coming to the surface is the hottest and most fluid to date.

“This is the hottest lava that we’ve seen in this eruption, even just a matter of 50 degrees centigrade makes a big difference in how quickly lava flows can move and how they behave once the magma exits the vent,” Stovall said.

In fact, the current lava eruptions in Puna are as hot as Hawaii’s lava will ever get. “It can’t get hotter than where we are,” Stovall added. “We are pretty much-tapping mantle temperatures right now.”

The volcano has been erupting violently

One fissure was observed early Wednesday morning spouting lava over 61 meters into the air.

Hawaii County officials said lava destroyed the electric utility’s equipment on the highway, which knocked out power to Vacationland and Kapoho Beach Lots.

“You are at risk of being isolated due to possible lava inundation,” the Hawaii County Civil Defence agency advised the public.

There were several small earthquakes at Kilauea’s summit Wednesday, where the vent inside the volcano’s Halemaumau Crater has grown along with a series of explosive eruptions that have sent rock and ash thousands of feet into the sky.

The U.S. Geological Survey released drone footage Wednesday of another fast-moving lava flow that trapped a man in Leilani Estates over the weekend. As lava rushed past the property, a USGS crew that was flying the drone used the aircraft to lead rescue teams to the stranded person. The person was safely evacuated.

A man was arrested in Leilani Estates after police say he fired a gun and assaulted another man after demanding that the man and his friends leave the area Tuesday.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remains closed because of the volcanic activity at the summit and the ongoing eruptions on Kilauea’s eastern flanks. Park officials said that crews are working on clearing another roadway on the south side of the park that was covered by lava from previous eruptions. They hope the roadway will provide an alternative escape route if lava cuts off more roads to the north.

Strands of volcanic glass called as Pele’s hair was accumulating on the ground in Leilani Estates and surrounding neighborhoods, and winds may blow lighter particles farther away, scientists said. The strands can cause irritation and respiratory problems when it comes in contact with people.

Pele, known as the goddess of volcanoes and fire, is an important figure in Hawaiian culture.

Volcanic gas emissions remain high from the eruption. Wind conditions for Wednesday were forecast to result in widespread vog – or volcanic smog- over the Big Island.

HISTORY: To what extent has Kilauea been ejecting?

Hawaii spring of gushing lava Kilauea is as yet emitting just about a month after in excess of 250 tremors smashed the hole floor, regurgitating magma and lethal gas over the state.

Kilauea is Hawaii’s most active volcano, but the question is, how long has it been erupting for?

The volcano has been active for more than 35 years, with the volcano continuously erupting since 1983 – however, the recent eruptions have been explosive.

Kilauea has erupted like this on two previous occasions, in 1924, when one man died after 10-tonne rocks were hurled into the air, and in 1983, when the Pu’u O’o vent collapsed, sending lava 1,500 feet into the air.

Large explosions along the East Rift Zone are rare, but recent earthquakes dislodged much of the ground near the area causing massive amounts of damage.

Asta Miklius, a geophysicist from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said there is no way to know exactly how long the eruption will continue.

“One of the parameters is going to be whether the summit magma reservoir starts to drain in response to this event, and that has not happened yet,” Mr Miklius said.

“There is quite a bit of magma in the system. It won’t be just an hours-long eruption probably… so we are watching that very, very closely.”

History Continues:

Kilauea finally erupted explosively in 2018 after more than 250 earthquakes struck the region in a 24-hour period on April 30.

Earthquakes continued to rock the area, dislodging the crater floor and forcing lava to explode out through several fissures in the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivision.

Some of the earthquakes measured more than 5 magnitude, destroying the inside of the volcano to cause a massive eruption.

Since then, more than 80 houses have been destroyed by lava flows, with more than 10,000 people displaced by the volcanic activity.

The volcano has continued to violently erupt over the last month, spewing toxic fumes, lava flows and giant plumes of volcanic ash thousands of feet into the air.

On May 21, two lava rivers from several fissures breached the Pacific Ocean on the south coast, creating a thick laze of hydrochloric acid, which can be fatal to humans.

Lava continues to burst out of the ground in Puna, with the Hawaii Civil Defense Agency warning Hawaiian residents to be prepared to evacuate should the volcano erupt more violently in the coming days.

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano continues to erupt this week, as lava oozes out of 23 fissures in Puna forcing thousands to flee their homes.

The Hawaii volcano’s lava flow has destroyed more than 80 properties so far, with United States Geological Survey (USGS) scientists still unable to determine when the eruptions might stop.

Hordes of residents have evacuated the region, particularly in the Leilani Estates where the lava has taken over more than half the area.

The volcano has remained one of the most active on Big Island.

Source: bigislandnow.com, time.com, express.co.uk, uk.reuters.com, ctvnews.ca

Azad Hind News

Disaster Weather World News

Hawaii Volcano – Advancing Rapidly

by Yogesh on May 31, 2018

Hawaii Volcano – Advancing Rapidly

Overwhelming Emission of Magma proceeds from the Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) Crevice Framework in the Zone of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens.

Fissure 8 kept up high wellsprings through Wednesday with supported statures surpassing 200 feet. The nearness of various auxiliary wellsprings that came to 60 feet. This fountain kept on nourishing a magma stream that moved down-slope along Highway 132. Propel rates were under 100 yards/hour for the three projections of the stream. The stream moved north of Highway 132 in the region of Noni Farms and Halekamahina streets. And from here the two easternmost flaps progressed in an all the more east-northeasterly course. And the westernmost projection progressed a northeasterly way.

The Fissure 18 stream stayed dynamic, pushing downslope toward Highway 137. It keeps a rate of considerably less than 100 yards per hour. There were sporadic blasts of action From Fissures 22, 6, and 13 Amid the day.

Pele’s hair and other lightweight volcanic glass from of Fissure 8 are tumbling toward the west of the crevice. And collecting on the ground inside Leilani Estates. Winds my float lighter particles to more noteworthy separations. Occupants encouraging to limit the presentation to these volcanic particles. These volcanic particles can cause skin and eye disturbance like volcanic fiery debris.

HVO field teams are nearby following the wellsprings, magma streams, and scattering from various crevices. They are working as conditions permit and revealing data to Hawai’i County Civil Defense. Teams are additionally keeping an eye on the status of ground breaks on Highway 130.

Volcanic gas discharges stay high from the crevice emissions. Twist conditions for Wednesday, May 30, are conjecture to bring about far-reaching vog over the Island of Hawai’i.

Magma keeps on being provided to the lower East Rift Zone. Tremor areas have not moved more distant downrift in a previous couple of days. And the quantity of found quakes stays low.

Volcano Summit (Kīlauea)

Cinder kept on ejecting discontinuously from the vent inside Halemaʻumaʻu hole, at Kīlauea’s summit. The National Weather Service watched a slag section ascending to 12,000 ft at around 11 a.m. At the beginning of today yet perceivability was exceptionally poor on the ground and ground spectators could affirm the occasion. Extra dangerous occasions that could deliver minor measures of cinder fall downwind are conceivable whenever. Tremor action with a couple of felt occasions revealed overnight. Volcanic gas discharges at the summit stay high and will consolidate with twist conditions. And it creates far-reaching vog over the Island of Hawai’i on Wednesday.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 6 p.m.

This is a Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Message for Wednesday, May 30 at 6 p.m.

HVO reports that lava from several fissures continues to move through Leilani Estates, Lanipuna Gardens and towards the Kapoho area.

They advising Residents of Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland to evacuate. It is due to the possibility of lava cutting off access to Beach Road near Four Corners. One lava flow is approximately 2.5 miles from Four Corners and a second is about a half-a-mile from Highway 137. This the north of Ahalanui County Park.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, Noon

Given the dynamic idea of Kīlauea’s lower East Rift Zone ejection, with changing vent areas, crevices beginning and ceasing, and differing rates of magma emanation, outline appeared here are exactly as of the date/time noted—and could have changed quickly since that time. Shaded purple zones show magma streams ejected in 1840, 1955, 1960 and 2014-2015.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that magma from a few gaps keeps on progressing toward the Kapoho territory.

They are encouraging Occupants of Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland to clear.

Due to the magma activity the going with procedures are therefore:

Evaluation said Streams are under 1/2 mile from Highway 137, north of Ahalenui County Park.

Cell phone and telephone landline exchanges in the Kapoho domain have been greatly obliged due to cut down power and telephone lines. Contact colleagues and relatives to guarantee they’re secured.

On account of advancing conditions, the going with is obliged for your information:

The state Department of Health has gotten reports of children using N95 shroud in school and outside. Be urged cloak are not made arrangements for use by adolescents or infants. Reduce their introduction by keeping them inside.

High joinings of SO2 are up ’til now appear in the Leilani Estates locale, where cleft continue transmitting gasses.

Inhabitants close to any volcanic development should stay alert and be set up to tenaciously clear if critical.

A social affair to discuss vog and powder presentation is reserved in the Ka’ū District at the Robert Herkes Gym in Pahala at 5:30 during the evening.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 11 a.m.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports the tremor that happened at around 10:57 a.m. was NOT sufficiently extensive to cause a torrent for the Island of Hawai’i.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 8 a.m.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that lava from several fissures continues to advance toward the Kapoho area.

Due to the lava activity, the following policies are in effect:

Flows are advancing on Highway 137, approaching Beach Road. So there is a restriction at Beach Road to resident traffic from Four Corners to Hawaiian Beaches to allow evacuations.
Limitation in Cell phone and telephone landline communications in the Kapoho area due to downed power and telephone lines. Contact friends and relatives to make sure they’re safe.
Do not proceed to Highway 132. Highway 132 out of order and no access.
Stay tuned to local radio stations for updates from Civil Defense.

Due to changing conditions, the following is provided for your information:

NE trade winds have returned and will continue to send vog toward Ocean View and Kona.

High concentrations of volcanic gasses are still present in the Leialani Estates area, where fissures continue to create high fountains of lava.

The Pāhoa Community Center, Kea‘au Community Center and Sure Foundation Church are open. The shelters are pet-friendly.

HVO, 6 a.m

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the lava flow from several fissures continues to advance toward the Kapoho area.

There is an Evacuation request to the Residents in the Kapoho area including Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland. You are at isolation-risk due to possible lava inundation of Beach Road near four corners.

Due to the lava activity, the following policies are in effect:

There is a restriction for Beach road. This is for outbound traffic from four corners to Hawaiian Beaches to allow residents to evacuate.
Residents close to any volcanic activity should remain alert. And always ready for voluntary evacuation.

The following is provided for your information:

Because of downed power and telephone lines there exists limitation in Cell phone and telephone landline communications in the Kapoho area.
Stay tuned to local radio stations for updates from Civil Defense.
The Department of Health has changed the venue for today’s meeting to discuss vog and ash exposure in the Ka‘ū District. It will be at the Robert Herkes Gym and Emergency Shelter in Pahala at 5:30 in the evening.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018, 6:43 a.m.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT, U.S. Geological Survey

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: RED

Kīlauea Volcano Lower East Rift Zone

Vigorous eruption of lava continues from the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) fissure system in the area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens.

Fissure 8 maintained high fountains throughout Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, with sustained heights exceeding 200 feet and the presence of multiple secondary fountains that reached to 60 feet.

This fountaining continued to feed a lava flow that moved downslope along Highway 132. Advance rates accelerated late Tuesday and early Wednesday, reaching approximately 600 yards/hour.

The flow moved north of Highway 132 in the vicinity of Noni Farms and Halekamahina roads, advancing along a steepest descent path that could take the flow to the Four Corners area.

The Fissure 18 flow also remained active, moving downslope toward Highway 137 at rates of less than 100 yards per hour. Overnight observation – sporadic bursts of activity from Fissures 7 and 15.

Pele’s hair and and other lightweight volcanic glass from high fountaining of Fissure 8 are falling to the west of the fissure and accumulating on the ground within Leilani Estates. Winds my waft lighter particles to greater distances.

HVO Updates

HVO field crews are on site tracking the fountains, lava flows, and spattering from multiple fissures as conditions allow and reporting information to Hawaii County Civil Defense. Crews are also checking on the status of ground cracks on Highway 130.

Volcanic gas emissions remain very high from the fissure eruptions. Wind conditions for Wednesday, May 30 – widespread vog over the Island of Hawai‘i.

Magma flow continues to the lower East Rift Zone. Earthquake locations have not moved farther downrift in the past few days and the number of located earthquakes remains low.

Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava in the area of the active fissures are possible. Residents downslope of the region of fissures should heed all Hawaii County Civil Defense messages and warnings.

USGS/HVO continues to monitor the lower East Rift Zone activity 24/7 in coordination with Hawaii County Civil Defense.

Kīlauea Volcano Summit

Ash continued to erupt intermittently from the vent within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at Kīlauea’s summit, but no small explosive events record since Tuesday morning. Additional explosive events that could produce minor amounts of ash fall downwind are possible at any time. There are some Earthquake activity at the summit, with a few events.Volcanic gas emissions at the summit remain high and will combine with wind conditions to produce widespread vog across the Island of Hawai‘i on Wednesday.

Wednesday, May 30 at 1:30 a.m.

Hawaii Volcano Observatory reports that the lava flow near Highway 132 has gained speed and is now advancing rapidly.

Shelters are open at the Pāhoa Community Center, Kea‘au Community Center and the Sure Foundation Church. Shelters are pet-friendly.

Tuesday, May 29, at 9:30 p.m.

Residents on Noni Farms Road and Hale Kamahina road need to evacuate immediately due to a fast-moving lava flow.

Shelters are open at the Pāhoa Community Center, Kea‘au Community Center and the Sure Foundation Church. Shelters are pet-friendly

Volcanic magma stream goads more clearings on Hawaii’s Big Island

Evacuation of the Vacationland development and adjacent Kapoho community, rebuilt after a destructive eruption of Kilauea in 1960, came on the 28th day of what geologists rank as one of the biggest upheavals in a century from one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense agency issued the advisory as lava flows picked up speed late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday and threatened to cut off a key traffic route into the seaside area on the far eastern flank of the volcano.

“Residents in the Kapoho area, including Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland, are advised to evacuate,” the agency said in a morning bulletin. “You are at risk of being isolated due to possible lava inundation of Beach Road.”

On Tuesday, a lava stream crossed a larger east-west route, Highway 132, as it advanced toward the greater Kapoho area. A separate flow of red-hot molten rock was headed in the direction of the Vacationland community to the south.

Civil defense officials also pointed to severe communication outages in the area due to downed power and phone lines, reinforcing the decision to proceed with evacuation plans immediately rather than wait for a potential emergency.

Residents were urged to stay tuned to local radio stations for further updates.

The number of people affected by Wednesday’s evacuations was not precisely known, but Kapoho and Vacationland together encompass about 500 homes, mostly vacation rentals, according to Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno.

An estimated 2,500 residents in all have been displaced since the eruption began nearly four weeks ago, Magno said. The bulk of evacuees were forced from their homes at the outset, in and around the Leilani Estates community farther west, where concentrations of noxious volcanic gases remain high.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim on Wednesday renewed an emergency proclamation for 60 more days, allowing construction of temporary shelters and other relief projects to proceed on an expedited basis, without reviews and permits normally required.

At least 128 structures on the island have already been destroyed, cut off or otherwise left uninhabitable by lava flows, Kim said. Magno said 75 homes have been demolished.

Kilauea’s main crater at the volcano’s summit has continued to periodically belch ash high up into the sky. But National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Birchard told reporters during a conference call that most of the ash was blowing out to sea on the prevailing trade winds, then dissipating quickly.

Nevertheless, some ash and fumes have been spouted high enough into the atmosphere to be carried far over the Pacific Ocean, with observers in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Guam detecting traces of vog – a hazy mix of sulphur dioxide, aerosols, moisture and fine particles, Birchard said.

Kilauea rumbled back to life on May 3 as it began extruding lava and toxic gases through a series of cracks in the ground on its eastern flank, marking the latest phase of an eruption cycle that has continued nearly nonstop for 35 years.

The occurrence of new lava vents, or fissures, now numbering about two dozen, have been accompanied by flurries of earthquakes and intermittent eruptions from the summit crater, including a magnitude 5.3 tremor measured on Wednesday.

Source: bigislandnow.com, uk.reuters.com

Azad Hind News

Disaster Weather World News

Hawaii Volcano Update

by Yogesh on May 30, 2018

Hawaii Volcano Update

HAWAII’s Kilauea volcano’s eruptions have caused massive power cuts across Big Island after fast-flowing lava destroyed thousands of pylons, leaving residents without electricity for hours.

Sharp strands of volcanic glass, called Pele’s hair, blown in by gushing winds pose a severe threat to locals with officials warning fibres can severely injure eyes and lungs if inhaled, as eruption chaos continues.

Fast-moving lava flowed rapidly across Highway 132 on Tuesday and destroyed more than 2, 400 electricity pylons causing widespread power shortages across Big Island, Hawaii Electric Light reported.

Officials have closed of Highway 132, after lava spilled into a stretch of road from Lava Tree State Park to Four Corners, causing thousands of locals evacuated their homes.

The raging lava destroyed a fish farm owned by Big Island resident, Kevin Hopkins, who raised tropical fish and ornamental koi carp.

He said: “It just came over and ate the farm, boiled the water out of the ponds.”

Recent eruptions from Kilauea’s east rift zone have also produced a geological phenomena – sharp, thin strands of volcanic glass, resembling strands of golden locks, known as Pele’s hair or laze.

As Kilauea’s fissures continue to erupt bursts of lava, several thin strands of hairs are produced and easily picked up by gushing winds, blowing downwind and to the west of the fissure.

But locals have been warned, as the molten basaltic glass can severely hurt eyes and lungs when inhaled.

Hawaii Volcano Update:

Hawaii’s National Weather Service said Pele’s hair is highly abrasive and can hurt skin and eyes, similar to volcanic ash.

This is the latest hazard arising from the Big Island’s volcano eruptions, as raging lava and plumes of toxic sulphur dioxide gas continue to threaten residents in Pahoa.

Earlier on Tuesday, 4,600 metres of ash exploded out of Kilauea ‘s summit, leaving hundreds of locals scrambling out of the area as officials issued a massive evacuation.

US Geological Survey warned that ash drifting northwest will largely affect anyone situated near the volcano’s summit, in one of the world’s most active volcano eruptions in 100 years.

One raging fountain of lava burst more than 200 feet (60 metres) in the air on Monday, the agency reported.

Hawaii’s Big Island volcano has entered its fourth week of raging activity, as fast-flowing lava from multiple fissures have blocked roads and damages dozens of buildings since its eruption on May 3.

At least 83 homes have been destroyed and 2,000 people evacuated as the volcano continues to rage on.

Plans have been announced to deploy a rescue helicopter to evacuate a further 1 000 residents in a coastal area south of the fissures, County of Hawaii officials said.

Where is the lava flow now? Latest thermal map

Lava fountains as high as 200 feet are continuing to pour out of active fissures on Big Island, adding to flows drifting southwards towards the sea.

Kilauea erupted again on Tuesday sending an ash plume 15,000 feet into the sky.

The latest thermal USGS maps below show how active fissures have widened the impact areas in recent days south of Highway 32.

The scientific agency also showed in a separate map how the flow channel south has differed to previous lava flows caused by eruptions between 1840 and 2014-2015.

As a result of the spreading lava, only Beach Road remains a viable access route into Lower Puna.

Is the power plant still under threat?

Residents say they are alarmed about the lava flow at the 38-megawatt Puna Geothermal Venture electrical plant, which powers a quarter of Big Islands’ electricity.

Two wells that tap into steam and gas deep below ground have been penetrated, with the threat of more being submerged.

The Israeli-controlled operator Ormat Technologies Inc said it had not assessed the damage yet.

Officials had feared uncontrolled levels of life-threatening hydrogen sulphide would be released into the atmosphere but this has yet to happen.

However, lava has never engulfed a geothermal plant anywhere else in the world prior to current events in Hawaii so what happens next is largely unknown.

USGS scientists have warned Kilauea is likely to become more explosive in the next few weeks as the water level drops at the volcano’s summit.

Residents warned of LAVA TRAP risks:

Hawaii Volcano Update: Residents warned of LAVA TRAP risks

Volcano Kilauea has been erupting uninterruptedly since May 3 – plunging Hawaii’s Big Island residents into a panic.

County Civil Defense urged residents to evacuate to avoid being caught in rivers of molten lava violently propelling out of fissures on the eastern side of the island.

Authorities have warned Fissure 8 – located between the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens – has become “very active”, with officials reporting 200-feet tall lava fountains erupting from the rift.

The volcano has so far forced over 2,000 people to leave the area and over 20 fissures have been created by the volcano.

Dr Carolyn Parcheta, a USGS Geologist said: “Yesterday on the lower eastern rift zone, the whole of the fissure system from the middle of Leilani Estates to the east end of the fissure system was active.

“One of the fountains was going up to 60 yards high.

“The fissure immediately of Leilani Estates became active late last night sending a flow into Leilani Estates.”

Marines are on standby, ready to airlift residents if lava cuts off more streEts, leaving people stranded.

Frequent explosive eruptions at the summit of Kilauea have continued to plague Hawaii residents.

One on Monday morning sent plumes of ash 12,000 to 13,000 feet into the air.

How far is lava from Kona? Is air quality affected?

A Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency statement said: “You are at risk of being isolated due to possible lava inundation of Beach Road near Four Corners.

"Hawaii

“At the present rate of flow, it is possible that Beach Road near Four Corners may be blocked within 4 to 6 hours.”

Officials are particularly worried about sharp, thin strands of volcanic glass fibres flying through the air into people’s eyes or their lungs.

Known as laze – a blend of lava and haze – the fragments are formed from an acidic steam cloud as lava hits the sea.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency previously warned residents “the laze plume travels with the wind and can change direction without warning”.

But visitors to the Kona district on the island’s west coast are being told not to worry.

Air quality is deemed good across most of Big Island at the current time and there is no risk of sulphur dioxide being carried that far.

Even when the winds in the south-east side of the island have moved direction, they are moving “out to sea away from the Hawaiian Islands”, according to the most recent statement from Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Volcano Update Continues:

Hawaii State Department of Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler reiterated in the same update on May 25 that tourists were safe to visit Kona and other areas of Big Island.

She said: “The air quality for the vast majority of the Hawaiian Islands is clean and healthy.

“The emissions from Kīlauea volcano are a non-factor for O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaua‘i.

“The weather is beautiful and warm with cooling trade winds everywhere in Hawai‘i and is exactly what travelers expect when coming here for a relaxing and fun vacation experience.

“This includes Hilo, Pāhoa and the Kona and Kohala coasts on the island of Hawaii.”

There have been no updates since then to suggest these areas are unsafe to travel to.

Locals just hours from being stranded as lava speeds into village

Residents in the Leilani area are being ordered to leave their homes immediately as the lava spreads down Highway 132.

Shelters have been set up at community centres and churches in the area.

A Civil Defence spokesman said: “Residents on Noni Farms Road and Hale Kamahina road need to evacuate immediately due to a fast moving lava flow.

“Shelters are open at the Pahoa Community Center, Kea’au Community Center and the Sure Foundation Church.”

A second update at 1.30am local time (12.30pm BST) extended the evacuation notice to the Kapoho area including Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland.

The alert said: “You are at risk of being isolated due to possible lava inundation of Beach Road near Four Corners. At the present rate of flow, it is possible that Beach Road near Four Corners may be blocked within four to six hours.”

The evacuation orders came as Kilauea entered its fourth week of simultaneous eruptions at its summit crater and along a six-mile string of fissures 25 miles down its easterm side.

Lava flows from multiple fissures have blocked roads and damaged dozens of buildings on Hawaii’s Big Island.

The lava has also destroyed more than 400 electric poles and other equipment, causing power outages, the utility Hawaii Electric Light reported.

A spokesman for the US Geological Survey said: “A fast-moving lava flow is travelling down highway 132 and is currently near the intersection of Noni Farms road.

“It advanced 800 yards over 80 minutes. The flow is fed by continued strong fountaining from Fissure 8.

Volcano Update Continues:

Contingency plans have been made for a possible helicopter evacuation of up to 1,000 residents in a coastal area south of the fissures should their last exit route, State Highway 130, become blocked by lava or become unsafe due to gaping cracks.

At least 82 homes have been destroyed in the southeastern corner of Big Island and about 2,000 people have been ordered evacuated since Kilauea began erupting on May 3.

Officials have warned that sharp, thin strands of volcanic glass fibres being carried on the wind could injure eyes and lungs.

The fibres are known as “Pele’s hair” after the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and are formed through the stretching of molten basaltic glass from lava, usually from lava fountains, lava cascades and vigorous lava flows.

Pele’s hair is extremely light, so the wind often carries the fibers high into the air and to places several miles away from the volcano.

Pahoa residents have reported Pele’s hair falling, prompting civil defence officials to issue a warning across the region.

A spokesman said: “Avoid touching it or getting it in your eyes.

“It can cause injury to eyes and lungs if breathed in.”

Danger from the volcano has now reached Guam some 4,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean.

Volcanic haze from Kilauea has stretched across the Pacific and threatens residents of the Mariana Islands.

Guam’s homeland security office said: “”Residents with respiratory health problems should stay indoors and avoid being outdoors when haze is seen.

“Mariners and pilots should be aware of lower visibilities caused by this haze.”

MARSHMALLOWS should not be roasted over the volcanic eruption on Hawaii’s Big Island the United States’ Geological Survey (USGS) has warned residents after being asked the unusual question in a social media exchange.

According to USGS, toasting the sweets over the red hot lava of Kilauea would give a “pretty spectacular reaction”, but would taste “bad”.

The official body were responding to the mad question sent to them on Twitter.

Jay Furr from Richmond, Vermont, had asked whether it would be possible to roast marshmallows over the burning lava with a “long stick”

“Assuming you had a long enough stick, that is?

“Or would the resulting marshmallows be poisonous?”

The USGS were fairly straightforward in their answers and told Mr Furr “that’s not safe,” but they also gave a fascinating insight into what may happen if he had tried to toast his sweets.

They responded: “Erm, we’re going to have to say no, that’s not safe.

“Please don’t try!

“If the vent is emitting a lot of SO2 or H2S, they would taste bad.

“And if you add sulphuric acid (in vog, for example) to sugar, you get a pretty spectacular reaction.”

At the point when sugar is joined with sulphuric corrosive, it makes a thick, dark carbon item, and in addition water vapor and sulfur dioxide.

But, it would not be the only chemical reaction from the eruption so far.

Hydrochloric acid has been created as Kilauea’s lava has reached the sea.

The lava haze – or laze – is highly toxic, and is laced with tiny fragments of volcanic glass, as well as the acid, and can cause damage to victims’ breathing or eyesight.

Kilauea has been erupting since May 3, and has so far destroyed more than 80 homes on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Only one person has been seriously injured so far, when a man’s leg was shattered when it was hit by a flying molten rock.

Source: express.co.uk

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