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.
