Hawaii volcano eruption forces mandatory evacuation order

May 04, 2018 | 15:12

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Up to 10,000 people have been asked to leave their homes on Hawaii's Big Island following the eruption of the Kilauea volcano on Thursday (May 4) that came after a series of recent earthquakes.

hawaii volcano eruption forces mandatory evacuation order

In this photo provided bt the US Geological Survey, an ash plume rises above the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island on May 3, 2018. (Photo: Kevan Kamibayashi / US Geological Survey / AFP)

Authorities ordered mandatory evacuation in Leilani Estates in the east of the island after lava spewed more than 30m in the air near several homes, said Hawaii News Now.

"Department of Public Works reports steam and lava emissions from a crack in Leilani Subdivision in the area of Mohala Street," the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency wrote in a Facebook post.

US Geological Survey authorities of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory unit were both on the ground and headed into the air to assess the eruption, which began around 4.45pm local time (10.45am Friday, Singapore time).

At 10.30am a 5.0 magnitude earthquake south of the Puu Oo volcano cone triggered rockfalls and potential collapse into a crater on the volcano, according to USGS.

"A short-lived plume of ash produced by this event lofted skyward and is continuing to dissipate as it drifts southwest from Puu Oo," an advisory from USGS said, warning that "anyone downwind may experience a dusting of ash".

Authorities said hazards linked to the ongoing eruptions could include "potentially lethal concentrations of sulfur dioxide gas" in the zone as well as methane blasts that could propel large rocks and debris in adjacent forested areas.

Governor David Ige had activated the archipelago state's National Guard troops, and told residents to pay heed to warnings from the Civil Defense Agency.

"Please be alert and prepare now to keep your family safe," Ige wrote on Twitter.

A local community center was open to residents impacted by the threat, Hawaii's emergency management agency said.

AFP

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