Hawaiian Volcano Erupts Causing Major Evacuations

By CNN. The Kilauea volcano is the youngest and most active on the island of Hawaii, and has been erupting almost continuously since 1983, according to the US Geological Survey. It’s in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a major tourist attraction.

Aerial shots show the Puu Oo volcanic vent southeast of Kilauea’s caldera churning smoke after the eruption.

“The summit crater hosts an active lava pond and a vigorous gas plume,” the USGS says. “Kīlauea ranks among the world’s most active volcanoes and may even top the list.”

Kilauea lava flows have threatened communities numerous times. “From 1983, when the Puu Oo eruption began … residential areas were threatened and homes were lost,” said Janet Babb of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. (Read more from “Hawaiian Volcano Erupts Causing Major Evacuations” HERE)

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6.9-Magnitude Quake, Eruptions Prompt State of Emergency on Big Island

By Hawaii News. A large, 6.9-magnitude quake jolted Hawaii Island on Friday afternoon, just an hour after another sizable quake, amid an ongoing eruption of Kilauea that’s triggered mandatory evacuations in Leilani Estates, sent lava spewing into streets and threatened homes.

Six fissures — each several hundred yard longs — have been confirmed in the Puna subdivision, officials say.

The extent of the damage isn’t yet known, but officials did say at least two structures were significantly damaged and a number of roads have been covered in lava or severely cracked.

“Everything is still elevated,” said Talmadge Magno, administrator of Hawaii County Civil Defense. “It kind of gets you nervous.”

The 6.9-magnitude quake, which happened about 12:30 p.m., was the largest in Hawaii since 1975 and generated small tsunami waves around the Big Island. Hawaii County Civil Defense said sea fluctuations ranged from 8 inches in Hilo to 16 inches at Kapoho. (Read more from “6.9-Magnitude Quake, Eruptions Prompt State of Emergency on Big Island” HERE)

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