Scalding, black lava crept out of the largest fissure ripped open by Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano , consuming the lush, green landscape around it and lobbing balls of magma known as "spatter bombs" 500 feet into the air, according to footage and reports from the US Geological Survey ( USGS ).
Fissure No. 17
split the Earth near Leilani Estates , near the eastern point of Hawaii's Big Island , and the USGS published footage of the lava running like a river—and then a lake—past three structures in the area.
While authorities reported an 18th fissure opening Sunday, the Hurricane Volcano Observatory walked that back, saying the latest crack in the Earth—near Halekamahina Loop Road —was actually part of Fissure 17. On Monday morning, Fissure 18 officially opened, according to the USGS.
No matter what they number them, for residents, the fissures just mean more reasons to run, as the evacuation zones expanded.
Fissure 17
—the "most voluminous," the USGS says—is several hundred yards long and was causing serious trouble Sunday, with "lava fountaining, explosion of spatter bombs hundreds of feet into the air, and several advancing lava flow lobes moving generally northeast" from the fissure, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory ( HVO ) said.
"Based on overflight images late this afternoon, additional lava from fissure 17 was also moving slowly southeast. Volcanic gas emissions remain elevated," the HVO said late Sunday.
The observatory added that "future outbreaks" could arise southwest and northeast of the existing fissures.
Nearly 2,000 people have been evacuated since the volcano erupted, sending lava flowing into communities and threatening a nearby geothermal plant.
The volcanic vents, or fissures, have gobbled up dozens of homes and vehicles, with 37 structures so far destroyed .
The Hawaii Civil Defense Agency said in a Sunday message that vacation rentals in Lower Puna were directed to cease operations to relieve the demand for water as well as reduce the area population so emergency responders can focus on residents.
The Hawaii Police Department also enforced the Federal Aviation Administration 's temporary flight restriction for Lower Puna. No helicopter or drone activity is allowed without approval.
That vent was about a mile east of the P una Geothermal Venture plant , where officials removed 60,000 gallons of flammable liquids due to safety concerns.
In addition to the new fissures, USGS officials said an explosive eruption is possible at Halemaumau crater at the top of the Kilauea volcano. Such an eruption could generate ash plumes over an area 12 miles from the summit crater, the HVO said.
President Donald Trump
declared a major disaster in Hawaii on Friday. The declaration allows federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Kilauea volcanic eruption and earthquake.
Federal funding is available to state, eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis, the White House said.
The estimated cost to protect residents over the next 30 days is expected to exceed USD$2.9 million , according to the governor's office.
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