NEWSNOW | COLOMBO – Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has erupted, releasing lava into a residential neighbourhood 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. Residents in the Puna community, home to about 10,000 people, were ordered to evacuate.
County, state and federal officials had been warning residents all week that they should be prepared to evacuate, as an eruption would give little warning. Nearby community centres have opened for shelter.
One resident said lava fountains were shooting 150ft (45 metres) into the air through a crack in the volcano.
The US Geological Survey said new ground cracks were reported. Hot vapour emerged from a crack and spattering lava began to erupt.