Eruption of a volcano in Hawaii: a fountain of lava in height 100 m and dozens of destroyed houses

Lava from the eruption of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has already destroyed 26 houses and threatens hundreds more, as new cracks opened on the night from 6 to 7 in May, threatening to turn into lava exit points.

Photo: Twitter / @ USGSVolcanoes

About 2000 people have been evacuated so far, some people on Sunday were allowed to return home for a short time to pick up animals and things, but due to toxic gases, threats of continued eruptions and new earthquakes, it is not safe to remain in Leylani Estates, with the BBC.

With the discovery of some new volcanic holes, a lava column rose into the air to a height of up to 330 feet (100 m).

Lava fountains 300 ft high during May fissure eruption in Leilani Estates. https://t.co/W0qoOFPYV8 pic.twitter.com/TKKPjPLNQg

— USGS Volcanoes? (@USGSVolcanoes) May 7, 2018

The lava fountain lasted for several hours; it continued its slow exit from the opening that opened even after the fountain had stopped. As a result, the lava spread at a distance of about 1 km from the hole.

In total, the lava spread over an area of ​​more than 3 ha, while the molten rocks move so slowly that the grass remains green just a few centimeters from the border of the lava wave.

Lava moves down Makamae Street in Leilani Estates Subdivision (Lower East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano) at 9: 32 am on May 6, 2018. https://t.co/OYAuJClpuc pic.twitter.com/yKXbGsbjtV

— USGS Volcanoes? (@USGSVolcanoes) May 7, 2018

In addition to lava, the volcano ejects a huge amount of toxic sulfur dioxide into the air, so at the moment it is dangerous for residents to return to the region, and experts cannot say when the evacuation period will be completed.

According to the federal agency for toxic substances, the levels of sulfur in the air in some areas are so high that they can pose a threat to people's lives.

Inhalation of large amounts of sulfur dioxide can lead to a burning sensation in the nose and throat and difficulty breathing. The Emergency Management Agency has stated that this toxic gas is the greatest threat to the elderly, children and people with respiratory diseases.

However, some residents of Leilani Estates decided not to flee from the threat and say they intend to stay in their homes until the last, writes USA Today.

Greg Webber said that he was not ready to flee, despite the fact that eight neighboring houses had burned down before his eyes.

“I won’t leave until the lava is an inch from my house. “I’ve been through this a million times,” the man said.

Evacuated residents say they are very worried about animals left in their homes.

“When I evacuated on Thursday, I pretty much said goodbye to everything because I’ve lived here for a long time and I’ve seen and seen what the lava does,” admitted local resident Ikaika Marzo.

Brenton Ava said that he was returning at the weekend to the evacuation zone to feed the pets that remained there, and also to release those that remained in cages or aviaries so that they could escape if necessary.

Twitter screenshot

Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and has been in a state of constant eruption over the past 35 years, taking short breaks. Its last major eruption was in 2014, in 2017, the volcano was also active, but it ended in insignificant outcrops of lava.

Signs of an approaching eruption this year began to produce a volcano in late April, causing small earthquakes on the island. The immediate release of lava began on 4 in May, marked by an earthquake measuring 6,9 magnitude - the most powerful on the island since 1975.

When the eruption is complete, it is still unclear, according to volcanologists, there is still a lot of lava in the Kilauea canals, and while it is there, the eruption will continue, but it is unclear whether the eruption phase has been completed this year or it can be expected to continue.

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