Kilauea Volcano Erupts, Hawaii’s Governor Announces Mandatory Evacuation

In this photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, red ash rises from the Puu Oo vent on Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck the Big Island, Thursday
In this photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, red ash rises from the Puu Oo vent on Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck the Big Island, Thursday

After Hawaii’s Governor David Ige issued a mandatory evacuation order, 1700 people were evacuated late Thursday from the vicinity of the big island’s largest volcano.

Within 2 hours, the US geological survey reported that this most recent eruption of the Kilauea volcano ceased activity at approximately 6:30 PM HST. But, on Friday morning reported that the eruption of lava continues downslope. Kilauea is the island’s most active volcano, and so eruptions are not an unusual event there.

High levels of sulphur dioxide has been detected in the Leilani Estates and warn residents to leave immediately and to stay away until the threat has disappeared.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adsense-responsive”]Earlier in the week, a volcanic crater vent collapsed forcing lava down the volcano slope into populated areas at the base of the volcano. During the continuing eruption that followed, fountains of lava could be seen shooting 150 feet in the air.

The area is also experiencing increased seismic activity.

While the activity at the volcano has decreased, it could begin again at any time.

No injuries have been reported.