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Hawaii volcano: Crowds line up at Kilauea volcano despite warnings over hazardous gas

Latest as Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island erupts causing evacuations

Graig Graziosi,Justin Vallejo
Monday 21 December 2020 19:47 EST
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Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island has erupted.
Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island has erupted. (EPA/USGS)

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Residents on Hawaii’s Big Island have been warned to stay indoors for their safety, following the eruption of the Kilauea volcano due to a series of earthquakes in the area. Onlookers have been advised to avoid the crater due to hazardous gases rising from the fissures. 

The earthquakes hit on Sunday evening, around 10pm local time, with a 4.0 magnitude quake reported. The US Geological Survey estimated that the quake was located beneath the volcano’s south flank, while the eruption was located in the Halemaumau Crater. The initial eruption launched lava 165ft into the air. 

USGS officials described a “lava lake” that had been formed following the eruption, with fountains of molten liquid spewing into the newly created lake. The US Geological Survey reported that the volcano is mostly emitting steam at this time. 

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Kilauea erupts on state’s Big Island

The eruption of Kilauea comes alongside a number of earthquakes in the area, with one measuring 4.0 on the richter scale. James Crump has the full story.

Volcano erupts on Hawaii’s Big Island

US Geological Survey says ‘the situation is rapidly evolving’, as warnings are issued and earthquake recorded 

Harriet Sinclair21 December 2020 16:09
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USGS lava footage

The US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Twitter account shared a video showing the lava flow from the western rim of Kilauea.

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 16:55
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Kilauea lights up the sky 

The Kilauea eruption was captured by passing satellites. 

The Sunomi NPP weather satellite - which is operated by NASA, the Department of Defense, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - caught the glow of the lava as it first spewed from the volcano. 

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 17:09
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Scientists caught off-guard by sudden eruption

Hawaii News Now reported that the acting Scientist-in-Charge of the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory was surprised by the volcano’s sudden eruption. 

David Phillips, who oversees the observatory, said his team was planning to issue a change in alert status for the volcano today based on its recent activity and were caught off guard when it just erupted. 

“We knew that there was some activity taking place, higher than background levels, and there was a possibility of an eruption, and then we ended up just going straight from advisory straight up to an eruption,” Mr Phillips said.

The scientists do not believe this eruption will threaten homes or communities directly, though they are keeping a close watch on the developments. 

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 17:31
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Eruption stablised 

As of 6:15 am Hawaii Standard Time, the County Civil Defense organisation and the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory have determined that the eruption inside Kilauea’s crater lake has stabilised. 

Hawaii News Now reports that the threat from falling ash is diminishing, though two to three fissures do remain active. 

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 17:58
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Scientists arrive to monitor eruption

The US Geological Survey’s Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory reported that scientists have been monitoring the eruption of Kilauea from its summit. 

In an image shared on social media, a scientist is examining the three fissures that have opened and are feeding a lava lake on the volcano. 

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 18:15
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Video shows volcano launching lava 165ft into the air  

A video captured lava and ash launching into the air as Kilauea erupted earlier this morning.  

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 20:10
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Eruption now mostly steam, ash has settled 

The US Geological Survey Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory said that the eruption at Kilauea has settled and is mostly steam at the moment. It said that there is no ash in the air. 

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 20:49
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Crowds warned to stay away from Kilauea eruption to due to hazardous gases

A Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks spokeswoman urged curious onlookers to avoid visiting the site of Kilauea’s eruption due to hazardous gasses rising out of the crater. 

“It’s pretty spectacular this morning," she told The Bradenton Herald, "but there are high amounts of hazardous sulfur dioxide gas and particulates and those are billowing out of the crater right now and those present a danger to everyone, especially people with heart or respiratory problems, infants, young children and pregnant women.”

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 20:58
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USGS scientists explain why they were caught off-guard by the eruption

Scientists at the USGS explained why they were caught off-guard by Kilauea’s sudden eruption late last night. 

The agency said the volcano’s 2018 eruption changed the volcano drastically, and that they are still learning the implications of that shift. 

They also noted that the agency was about to issue an alert on Monday. 

Graig Graziosi21 December 2020 21:18

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