Hawaii Volcano Forces Evacuation

M 6.9 - 16km SW of Leilani Estates, Hawaii

Magnitude uncertainty 6.9 mww
Location uncertainty 19.370°N 155.032°W ± 6.2 km
Depth uncertainty 5.0 km ± 1.9

USGS

The latest 6.9 quake today was centered near the south flank of Kilauea volcano

Kilauea Alert Level = WARNING Aviation Color Code = ORANGE As of May 4, 2018, 17:45 UTC
HVO Kilauea ORANGE/WARNING - Eruption underway in Lower East Rift Zone
(Change to current status occurred on 2018-05-04 03:35:29 UTC from Alert Level WATCH and Aviation Color Code ORANGE)
For more information see: volcanoes.usgs.gov...:58:00-07:00

volcanoes.usgs.gov...

If this escalates out of hand there could be a danger of landslides, as one of the largest potential landslides in the world is right in that area, even if pieces of it go it could be devastating, and piece have slid in recent years, 1968 and 1975, see article.

en.wikipedia.org...

Thread bump.

Seriously, this is serious stuff! The dotting of the islands is some of the most violent acts on earth. And here we are watching.

The sulfur dioxide kills. And may those people who were asked to leave have left!!

New map of 8 eruptive fissures in #LeilaniEstates subdivision in order of formation. More fissure vents with spatter & small lava flows formed early this morning (May 5) & new outbreaks likely.

Source




Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

All residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions have been placed on evacuation notice due to volcanic activity and smoke hazards. Please understand the unpredictability of these hazards. The American Red Cross and the Department of Parks and Recreation have opened shelters at the Pahoa Community Center and the Kea’au Community Center for your use.
The Department of Water Supply has issued an emergency water status for all areas ocean side of Leilani Estates. This is due to the main water lines being impacted by lava activity. All residences in the Kapoho area will be affected by this water shortage. Water spigots have been installed near the entrance of Lava Tree State Park and a water tanker has been placed in Vacationland for public access.
HELCO reports that power has been interrupted to the Leilani Estates Subdivision due to lava affecting power lines. HELCO crews are standing by and monitoring the situation. Updates will be provided as information becomes available
Hawaii CD Site

a reply to: lurksoften
Wow look at all the homes.
Are there people refusing to leave?

Thanks for posting the update

a reply to: violet

no problem have some time on my hands again can come and lurk abit more

Most recent up date now has at 10 fissures opened one of those has already gone dormant.

26 homes confirmed destroyed now.

East Rift Zone Eruption In Leilani Estates Update
This is a Civil Defense update for Sunday May 6, 2018 at 5:30 PM.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms that active venting of lava and hazardous fumes continues in Leilani Estates Subdivision. Since the onset of this eruption, a total of 10 fissures have emerged, and 26 homes have been destroyed.

Due to the eruption, the following are issued:

Conditions permitting, Leilani Estates residents will be allowed to continue evacuation to check on their property from 7 AM to 6 PM each day until further notice.
Authorities on scene will determine what areas will be safe for you to enter. Please be aware that because of unstable conditions that involve toxic gas, earthquakes and lava activities, lines of safety can change at any time. You must be prepared to leave areas if required.
Hawaii Electric Light Company is working to try to keep power online as best as possible. Please be aware that HELCO strongly requires all residents and responders to treat all downed lines as live. Under no circumstances are you to approach or touch downed lines.
The Department of Water Supply are working to establish a temporary bypass waterline to restore water service to the makai lower Puna areas of Pohoiki, Vacationland, and Kapoho. A water truck is located near the Vacationland mailboxes for public use. We will keep you updated on this progress.

Source

Right now the lava flow can go many ways as its unpredictable and the map USGS provides shows it can go anywere. Blue lines indicate were it could possible go and that is pretty much anywhere!



Source from USGS twitter

a reply to: Phage

Phage you been around here a long time
miho. If you need anything? If you jump a
flight I got your back in So Cal. You and
your loved ones.

I have a feeling this is foing to get really bad...

a reply to: Ghostsinthefog

For the residents of Leilani Estates, yes.

A lot of pics here:
www.hawaiinewsnow.com...

This old article on USGS is of interest to compare notes on what is happening there now I.e the lava lake draining , earthquake swarms.

The May 1924 Explosive Eruption of Kīlauea
volcanoes.usgs.gov...

Halema‘uma‘u, the largest crater in Kīlauea Caldera, was the site of more than 50 explosive events during a 2.5-week period in May 1924. The explosions were then, and remain today, the most powerful at Kīlauea since the early 19th century, throwing blocks weighing as much as 14 tons from the crater. Halema‘uma‘u doubled in diameter, deepened to about 400 m (1300 ft), and drastically changed in behavior—for the next 85 years it no longer hosted a long-lived lava lake, until one returned in 2009.......


.....
Prelude to the eruption – a draining lava lake and a swarm of earthquakes

A lava lake drained out of Halema‘uma‘u in February 1924, followed by a severe earthquake swarm in lower Puna, 50 km down the east rift zone. The seismic activity began building in early April, reaching its peak on April 23 with ground cracking, faulting, coastal subsidence, and hundreds of felt earthquakes. These events indicated the transfer of magma from the summit to lower Puna, either the same magma that left Halemaumau or stored magma that was pushed ahead by that which drained away.

At least 30 homes destroyed now and Leilani road is blocked by lava.

After a pause on Tuesday, two new lava fissures have opened up

Hawaii County officials say two new lava fissures have opened in a community where some two dozen homes have burned down.

County Acting Mayor Wil Okabe says after a pause in volcanic activity Tuesday the two new fissures bring the total to 14.

Washington Post

Regarding the two new fissures opening up . More residents have been asked to evacuate

EVACUATION - HVO confirm 2 new vents. All Lanipuna residents must evacuate now. Evacuate towards the ocean Isaac Hale Beach Park. Vent number 13 has opened near the intersection of Leilani Aveand Kahukai Rd and Vent number 14 near Kaupili St. and Leilani Ave.

www.forbes.com...

a reply to: violet

I think "asked" is somewhat of an understatement.

a reply to: Phage

Scary stuff, some of the footage of those lava flows across properties just shows how destructive mother nature can be, hopefully it all calms down soon, stay safe.

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

It's far from me and mine.
I have a nephew who lives in Puna, but not near the eruption.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: violet

I think "asked" is somewhat of an understatement.

Yes, i should have said “told”.

Amazing how it takes on this fence

Possible explosions which could fire rocks over the next few weeks.

Scientists at the USGS’ Hawaii Volcano Observatory worry that if the lava lake drops too far, groundwater will seep into the conduit . Water, hot rocks and magma are not a good combination -- they create steam, and steam causes explosions. Such explosions can release tall clouds of ash and toxic gas and throw rocks -- so called "ballistic blocks" -- as far as eight football field lengths.

www.cnn.com...

The US Geological Survey on Wednesday warned of possible explosive eruptions in the coming weeks. That could happen because as lava continues to sink in a lake inside a Kilauea crater, an influx of groundwater could interact with the lava to create steam explosions.

In 1924, explosions on Kilauea sent tons of rock flying. Will that happen again?

Those forces would emit "ballistic projectiles" -- as small as pebbles or weighing up to several tons. The agencies also said ash clouds would rise to greater elevations, dispensing ash over wider areas.
"At this time, we cannot say with certainty that explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be, or how long such explosive activity could continue," an advisory said.

www.cnn.com...



More

Geologists warned on Wednesday that Kilauea may be entering a more violent phase of explosive eruptions, the likes of which Hawaii has not seen in nearly a century.

www.thejakartapost.com...