Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts and spews massive lava flows
A volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island has erupted and is spewing massive amounts of lava.
Kilauea volcano erupted shortly before 4.45am local time on Wednesday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
A webcam livestream showed red hot spots across the crater with lava bubbling and smoke rising.
‘Webcam imagery shows fissures at the base of Halema’uma’u crater generating lava flows on the surface of the crater floor, stated the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
‘The activity is confined to Halema’uma’u and the hazards will be reassessed as the eruption progresses.’
Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency stated that there is ‘no indication that populated areas are threatened’.
The eruption for the time being is ‘within a closed area’ of Volcanoes National Park, according to the USGS.
However, ‘very light ashfall’ could be carried to parts of Kau, Puna and South Kona through the evening, the state’s emergency services said.
USGS elevated the volcano’s aviation color to code red, indicating that ash could pose as a threat to flying and operating aircrafts.
Kilauea, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began releasing lava just hours before a eruption watch was issued.
A Kilauea eruption in 2018 obliterated more than 700 homes.
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