Volcanic eruption in Hawaii

Lava overflows a small crater in Kīlauea Volcano's East Rift Zone, adjacent to the main Pu'u 'Ō'ō crater, on Hawaii's Big Island, April 17, 2018. 

Weeks of building pressure within the magma system led to rising levels of lava, numerous earthquakes, and a series of eruptions that forced residents in the area to evacuate. Dozens of homes and other buildings were destroyed by lava.

Kilauea Volcano

In this April 21, 2018 photo, the slowly rising lava lake at Kilauea's summit continued to overflow intermittently out of its Overlook crater onto the floor of Halemaumau Crater, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It was the largest recorded overflow since the summit vent opened up 10 years ago. 

Kilauea Volcano

Lava spatters at the edge of Kilauea's Halemaumau Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii's Big Island, April 22, 2018. 

Lava Lake

Beginning Saturday, April 21 at around midnight, Kīlauea Volcano's summit lava lake rose high enough that lava briefly spilled onto the floor of Halema'uma'u. Four more overflows occurred on April 22- 23. The largest pulse covered a third of the crater floor with shiny black lava.

Here, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists use a laser range-finder to measure the depth to the lava lake surface at its peak level, on April 23, 2018. Mauna Loa is visible in the distance (left). 

Kilauea Volcano

The large overflow of a lava lake in Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii's Big Island, April 23, 2018. 

Dozens of earthquakes rattled the area as magma flowed into a new area east of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent.

Lava Flow

Lava flowing over Mohala Street in the Leilani Estates area near Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii, May 4, 2018. 

Kilauea Volcano

Kilauea Volcano's summit lava lake overflows onto Halemaumau Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii's Big Island, April 24, 2018.

Lava Flow

A layer of red ash rests on top of an active lava flow, with brilliant surface breakouts visible, at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, April 30, 2018. 

Kilauea Volcano

A small lava flow - lighter in color - erupts from a section of the crack on the west flank of Pu'u 'Ō'ō, May 1, 2018.

Kilauea Volcano

On the morning of May 3, as HVO geologists were working on Pu'u 'Ō'ō, a magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck the area around the cone, collapsing the crater of Pu'u 'Ō'ō and creating a reddish-brown ash plume.

Hawaii Volcano

A plume of ash rises from the Pu'u 'Ō'ō crater on Hawaii's Kilaueaa Volcano, Thursday, May 3, 2018 in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea erupted on Thursday, sending lava shooting into the air in a residential neighborhood and prompting mandatory evacuation orders for nearby homes. 

Hawaii County said steam and lava poured out of a crack in Leilani Estates, which is near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island.

Kilauea Volcano

A plume of ash rises from the Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent on Hawaii's Kilaueaa Volcano Thursday, May 3, 2018 in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 

Hawaii County said steam and lava poured out of a crack in Leilani Estates, which is near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island.

Kilauea Volcano

An ash plume rises above the Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent, on Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Thursday, May 3, 2018 in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Nearly 1,500 residents were ordered to evacuate from their volcano-side homes after Kilauea erupted, sending molten lava to chew its way through forest land and bubble up on paved streets. 

Leilani Estates

White, hot vapor and blue fumes emanate from a cracked area within the Leilani Estates subdivision, with lava flowing in the eastern end of the subdivision, in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano, May 3, 2018,

Lava Flow

Lava erupts along a road in Leilani Estates, Puna, Hawaii, May 3, 2018, in this image taken from a social media video. 

Shelter

Red Cross volunteers sit at the entrance of an evacuation shelter, Friday, May 4, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. Residents at a nearby neighborhood were forced to evacuate their homes due to a lava eruption in the area.

Kilauea Volcano

An ash cloud rises above Kilauea Volcano after it erupted, on Hawaii's Big Island May 3, 2018, in this photo obtained from social media. 

Kilauea Volcano

The Kilauea Volcano fissure that formed on the west flank of the Pu'u 'O'o cone is seen in this aerial image after the volcano erupted following a series of earthquakes over the last couple of days, in Hawaii, May 3, 2018. 

Kilauea Volcano

Lava emerges from the ground after Kilauea Volcano erupted, on Hawaii's Big Island May 3, 2018.

Kilauea Volcano

Results of the eruption from Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island Friday, May 4, 2018. The eruption sent molten lava through forests and bubbling up from paved streets, forcing the evacuation of about 1,500 people.

Evacuees

Residents from the nearby Leilani Estates sleep in their cars after being forced out of there homes by a lava eruption, Friday, May 4, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii.

Authorities detected high levels of sulfur gas that could threaten the elderly and people with breathing problems.

Cracked Road

Cracked pavement is seen after the eruption of Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island Friday, May 4, 2018. 

Kilauea Volcano

A view of the erupting Kilauea volcano Friday, May 4, 2018, in Kalapana, Hawaii.

A large earthquake struck Hawaii's Big Island near the site of a volcanic eruption that has forced residents to evacuate from their homes.

Fissure

Steaming cracks on Leilani Street. The crack in the foreground opened during the May 4 magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the island.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake "is directly associated with volcanic activity at Kilauea volcano, and the evolution of its rift system and volcanic edifice."

Kilauea Volcano

Shortly after the earthquake on Friday, a plume of reddish-brown ash occurred at Kilauea.

Fissure

A fissure at Leilani and Kaupili Streets in the Leilani Estates subdivision on the morning of Friday, May 4, 2018. The lava was approximately two meters thick.

Fissure

In this still frame taken from video, lava flows toward a home in the Puna District as a result of the eruption from Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, Friday, May 4, 2018.

Lava Flow

On Saturday, May 5, 2018, lava slowly advances within the Leilani Estates neighborhood. Eight fissures - each several hundred feet long - have opened in the area since Thursday. 

Steam Vent

Volcanic gases pour out of a fissure in the Leilani Estates, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. The Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory said eight volcanic vents opened in the Big Island residential neighborhood since Thursday. 

Officials warned that masks sold in stores were not sufficient protection for the dangerous gases being released, including sulfur dioxide.

Lava Flow

Lava creeps across the road in the Leilani Estates, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. The Leilani Estates area is at the greatest risk for more lava outbreaks.

Lava Flow

Lava burns across the road in the Leilani Estates in Pahoa, Hawaii, Saturday, May 5, 2018. 

Lava Flow

Lava glows from a vent on a lava bed at the Leilani Estates, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. 

Fissure

A fissure erupts Saturday evening at Leilani Estates, with fountains spraying lava as high as 230 feet.

Hundreds of anxious residents on the Big Island of Hawaii hunkered down Saturday for what could be weeks or months of upheaval as the dangers from an erupting Kilauea volcano continued to grow. Officials on Sunday said 26 homes have been destroyed. 

Lava Flow

A car is torched by a slow-moving wall of lava.

Lava Flow

Correspondent Carter Evans with a lava flow at Leilani Estates.

Lava Flow

A lava flow moves slowly across Makamae Street in Leilani Estates on the morning of Sunday, May 6.

Fissure

An aerial view of Fissure 7, near Leilani and Hookupu Streets in Pahoe on Saturday, May 5.

Fissure

A closeup view of Fissure 7.

Eruption

Lava is seen from a fissure appearing behind a resident's backyard in Puna, Hawaii, in this still frame from video taken on May 6, 2018.

Leilani Estates

At least 31 homes and structures have been destroyed as of Monday, May 7.

Lava Lake

A view of the Overlook crater at the Kilauea Volcano. The level of the lava lake had dropped considerably by Sunday evening, when the level was approximately 220 meters below the crater rim. 

Lava Lake

A closeup of the lava lake. 

Fissure

A geologist from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory examines part of inactive fissure 10 in Leilani Estates, May 8, 2018.

Lava Flow

Lava and downed power lines block a road in the Leilani Estates subdivision during eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 8, 2018.

Toxic Gases

First Lt. Aaron Hew Len, of the U.S. National Guard, tests air quality near cracks that are emitting toxic gases in the Leilani Estates subdivision near Pahoa, Hawaii, Tuesday, May 8, 2018. 

Fissure

Steam rises from fissure 9 on Moku Street in the Leilani Estates Subdivision, May 7, 2018.

Lava Flow

Lava cools in a resident's yard in the Leilani Estates subdivision during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, May 8, 2018.

Evacuees

Evacuee Jon Warner, left, walks through rain with son Ethan, right, and daughter Iris after picking up some basic necessities at a makeshift donation center Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Pahoa, Hawaii. "We've never seen anything like that before," said Warner. "I don't know if I ever want to go back."

Ash Plume

A column of ash rises from the Overlook Crater at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 9, 2018.

Fissure

A geologist from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory measures temperatures at the site of a crack on Nohea Street in Leilani Estates, May 9, 2018. The reading was 218° F (103° C).

Fissures

Fissure 14 at Leilani Estates, May 9, 2018. As of Wednesday, 15 fissures had opened.

Crater

Kilauea's summit crater glows red in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Geologists warned Wednesday that Hawaii's Kilauea volcano could erupt explosively and send boulders, rocks and ash into the air around its summit in the coming weeks. 

Road Hazard

On Thursday, May 10, 2018, a geologist inspects a widening crack on Old Kalapana Road.

Hawaii Volcano

Steam and gas rise along the edge of Kilauea's summit crater in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, May 10, 2018. The park is closing Friday due to the threat of an explosive volcanic eruption.

Aerial View

Molten rock flows and bursts to the surface, threatening homes in a rural area in Pahoa, Hawaii, in this still image from video taken from a Hawaii Army National Guard helicopter, May 10, 2018.

Overlook Crater

On Friday morning, May 11, two ash plumes were emitted from the Overlook crater at Kīlauea's summit. 

Cracks

Toxic gases rise from cracks in the Leilani Estates subdivision near Pahoa, Hawaii, Friday, May 11, 2018. 

Lava Flow

A home destroyed by a lava flow is seen in the Leilani Estates subdivision near Pahoa, Hawaii, Friday, May 11, 2018. 

On Sunday, May 13, an 18th fissure was confirmed. 

Fissure

A view of Fissure 17, looking south from Highway 132, on May 13, 2018.

Lava Eruption

Lava erupts from a fissure on the outskirts of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 14, 2018.

Lava Eruption

Lava erupts from a fissure on the outskirts of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 14, 2018.

Fissure

A steam jet erupts from Fissure 17, Monday, May 14, 2018.

Lava

Highly-viscous lava oozes from the edge of the flow from fissure 17, May 15, 2018.

Kilauea Volcano

An ash cloud rises from the Kilauea crater, Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

Ash Cloud

People watch as ash erupts from the Halemaumau crater during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 15, 2018.

Fissures

A view of sulfur dioxide plumes rising from the fissures to the cloud deck, May 16, 2018.

Lava Flow

Lava flows downhill, in this image taken from a helicopter over Kilauea Volcano's lower East Rift zone, May 19, 2018.

Lava Flow

Lava flows into the Pacific Ocean southeast of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 20, 2018.

Lava Flow

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anthony, of the Hawaii National Guard, measures sulfur dioxide gas levels at a lava flow on Highway 137 southeast of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 20, 2018.

Eruption

A lava fountain is observed from a helicopter flight over Fissure 22 in Kilauea Volcano's Lower East Rift Zone, May 21, 2018. 

Lava Flow

Lava is seen spewing from fissures in Pahoa, Hawaii, May 22, 2018.

Eruption

Lava is seen spewing from fissures in Pahoa, Hawaii, May 22, 2018.

Lava

Lava gushes from a fissure eruption of the Kilauea Volcano in the Leilani Estates near Pahoa, Hawaii, May 23, 2018.

Lava

Lava gushes from a fissure eruption of the Kilauea Volcano in the Leilani Estates near Pahoa, Hawaii, May 23, 2018.

Eruption

Lava gushes from a fissure eruption of the Kilauea Volcano in the Leilani Estates near Pahoa, Hawaii, May 23, 2018.

Lava Flows

On May 23, 2018, the Hilo Civil Air Patrol captured lava flows entering the sea.

Eruption

Lava from the Kilauea volcano eruption burns palm trees near Kahukai Street in the Leilani Estates near Pahoa, Hawaii, May 25, 2018.

Eruption

Three fissures erupt with lava in the Leilani Estates near Pahoa, Hawaii, May 25, 2018.

Lava Fountain

Activity increase at Fissure 7 on May 27, with lava fountains reaching nearly 200 feet in height.

Lava Fountain

Lava began flowing once again from Fissure 8, in the southeastern section of Leilani Estates, on the­ afternoon of May 28. At times, the lava reached heights of 200 feet.

Lava Fountain

Lava fountains decreased at Fissure 8 on June 2, 2018. The moon appears in background.

Lava

Lava flows on the outskirts of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, June 5, 2018.

Lava Flow

Lava flows on the outskirts of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, June 6, 2018.

Fissure 8

An aerial view of the eruption at Fissure 8 near Leilani Estates in Hawaii, taken from video recorded on the morning of June 6, 2018.

Fissure 8

Lava from Fissure 8, covering Highway 132, enters a channel flowing towards the ocean near Leilani Estates in Hawaii, June 6, 2018.

Eruption

Lava illuminates an evacuated house on the outskirts of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, June 6, 2018.

Lava Fountain

Lava fountains erupt from Fissure 8 in the Lower East Rift Zone in the early morning hours of June 8, 2018. Lava reached heights of 220 feet.

Lava Trails

Lava continues to flow into the ocean in the vicinity of Kapoho Bay and Vacationland, June 8, 2018.

Measurements

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicists install additional GPS stations on June 9, 2018, enabling scientists to better monitor and measure the ongoing subsidence of Halema'uma'u crater and the adjacent caldera floor at Kilauea.

Road Block

Lava covers a road on the outskirts of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, June 9, 2018.

Lava Flow

A channelized lava flow continues to be fed from Fissure 8, June 9, 2018.

Eruption

Journalists and National Guard soldiers watch as lava erupts in Leilani Estates in Hawaii, June 9, 2018.

Evacuees

David Pio, who was forced by volcanic activity to leave his home in Leilani Estates, moves his tent in an evacuation center in Keaau during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, June 10, 2018.

Ocean Entry

Flows of lava enter the Pacific, producing plumes of steam on the Big Island of Hawaii, June 14, 2018.

Fissure 8

A lava fountain spewing from Fissure 8, photographed on June 15, 2018.

Lava Fountains

On June 20 Fissure 8 lava fountains were as high as about 164 feet, sending a shower of lava fragments over the rim of the cone, building it higher and broader.

The lava flows south via a channel to the ocean.

Fissure 8

A view of lava pouring from Fissure 8 in the early morning of June 28, 2018.

Kapoho Beach

Lava enters the ocean across a broad area on the northern part of the lava delta in the area of Kapoho Beach, June 28, 2018. The Fissure 8 lava fountain is seen at top.

Fissure 8

An image taken from a drone flying over the lower East Rift Zone, showing the upper lava channel from Fissure 8, July 3, 2018.

Fissure 8

Lava from Fissure 8 erupts from the vent and flows down a well-established channel. Image from a Mavic Pro drone operated by the USGS Unmanned Aircraft Systems team.

Four Corners

A lava channel near the Kapoho Crater makes a 90-degree bend and forms a lavafall, July 5, 2018.

New Hawaiian Island

A view of a new island, photographed July 13, 2018, was formed just a few meters offshore, at the northernmost part of the lava channel's entry point. The new land mass is likely a product of lava flowing from Fissure 8, though possibly it is from lava emerging from underwater.

Lava Channel

A view of the surface of the Fissure 8 lava channel, photographed from the air on the morning of July 17, 2018.