PUNA, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) - Vigorous lava flows continue to cascade into the ocean in lower Puna, creating large plumes of "laze" — clouds of toxic gas, steam and tiny glass particles — that could force nearby residents to evacuate at a moment's notice, authorities warned Monday.
The lava haze has spread miles west of where the lava met the ocean starting Saturday, after crossing Highway 137 near MacKenzie State Park.
Meanwhile, geologists say that volcanic gas emissions have tripledamid "voluminous" eruptions along Kilauea's east rift zone that show no signs of stopping.
"Sulfur dioxide concentrations are likely elevated to higher levels throughout the area downwind of vents," the U.S. Geological Survey warned.
The message comes as rivers of lava threaten homes and gobble up roads and forests as they carve fiery red pathways toward the sea.
In some places, thunderous methane blasts have been reported as vegetation decomposing beneath the lava produces gas that can ignite and burst ahead of the flow front. And at least one fissure — no. 17 — is producing huge fountains topping 150 feet.
Also on Monday, explosive eruptions at Kilauea's summit crater again unleashed clouds of ash, prompting new warnings about ashfall.
The incredible eruptive activity, which has been ramping up in recent days, are happening nearly nearly three weeks after the first of at least 22 fissures opened in lower Puna, prompting thousands to flee their homes.
As evacuees grow increasingly concerned about what the future holds, geologists say it remains unclear how long the eruptions will last.
"It's disconcerting not being home, being displaced," said resident Ed Arends, who fled his 5-acre property when the first evacuation orders were issued. "I'm sleeping on a sofa in a guy's living room."
Since eruptions started, lava has destroyed at least 44 structures, including more than two dozen homes. About 300 people are staying at three American Red Cross emergency shelters, while hundreds more residents are staying with friends and family.
"It's been like hell," said resident Ikaika Marzo, who has been helping get much-needed information to those in lower Puna.
He described the sounds of lava in the area as 10 or 20 jets taking off at once and right in your backyard. "It's like huge grenades going off," he said. "It shakes the whole community."
And in recent days, the lava has been moving more quickly and emerging from the ground in greater volume. That's because the lava that first erupted was magma left over from a 1955 eruption that had been stored in the ground for the past six decades, scientists said.
The molten rock that began emerging over the past few days, though, was from magma that has recently moved down the volcano's eastern flank.
That hotter, fresher lava started has created mounting problems for civil defense officials:
- Lava has now cut off Highway 137, a critical access point to lower Puna communities.
- Air quality issues remain a growing concern across lower Puna, and some residents have voluntarily evacuated.
- For most of Saturday, powerful rivers of lava threatened homes and roads as they continued traveling downslope toward the ocean.
- On Saturday night, brush fires that had been ignited by lava were forcing evacuations for residents on Kamaili Road.
- And a day earlier, four people were airlifted to safety and at least four homes were destroyed in lower Puna as activity from fissure 20 increased. That activity continued through the weekend and into Monday as new fissures and older ones continued their explosive lava flows, spitting out towering, 200-foot lava fountains that lit up the night sky and set off thunderous gas explosions that could be heard for miles around.
Fissure 22 putting on a show! Lava fountains as high as 150 ft into the air, in Kīlauea Volcano’s Lower East Rift Zone. https://t.co/McAwGP0Vaq 2ure pic.twitter.com/eavEU1rJVt
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) May 21, 2018
