Hawaii volcano

Haze from Hawai'i's Kilauea reaches Micronesia again

The National Weather Service says the volcanic haze is expected to linger across the region for much of the week.

It says it will decrease periodically due to developing showers but the Easterly tradewinds will continue to funnel the haze towards the Micronesian islands and reduce visibility there.

The service says while the haze is not expected to cause widespread health problems, if people suffer from respiratory health issues then they should limit outdoor activities.

The blue-grey haze first impacted the island in May before dissipating.

   

Hawaii declares lava-stricken area off-limits, indefinitely

The Big Island's mayor, Harry Kim, declared an area around the lava-stricken Leilani Estates subdivision off-limits indefinitely, giving any residents remaining there 24 hours to leave or face possible arrest.

The mandatory evacuation zone lies within a slightly larger area that was already under a voluntary evacuation and curfew.

Civil defense officials have previously said about 2,000 residents in and around Leilani Estates were displaced at the outset of the current eruption, which began on May 3.

Volcanic haze from Hawaii reaches CNMI and Guam

The National Weather Service in Guam says residents should continue to monitor information from their service as well as the local emergency management offices.

It says people with respiratory health problems should minimise time outdoors when the haze is evident.

Mariners and pilots have also been warned to be aware of the slightly lower visibility.

Satellite imagery shows a dense plume of haze spanning the central Pacific that becomes more diffused closer to the Marianas.

The haze is being carried along by the east-northeast trade winds.

 

Hawaii volcano erupts, spews ash 9100m into the sky

The US Geological Survey said the eruption took place at 4.15am local time. Staff at the volcano observatory and the national park had previously been evacuated.

Since a new zone of Mount Kilauea began erupting almost two weeks ago, lava has wrecked dozens of homes and forced hundreds of people to be evacuated.

A red aviation code had already been issued - warning pilots to avoid the potentially damaging ash cloud.

More evacuations from Hawaii volcano

The County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency issued an emergency bulletin ordering residents of the Lanipuna Gardens area on the east side of the island to leave their homes.

"Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms two new vents. All Lanipuna residents must evacuate now," the agency said in its bulletin on Wednesday, adding that the two vents had opened near two road intersections and were "actively erupting".

Hawaii eruptions spread, some residents warned to 'go now'

The volcano has destroyed 26 homes and forced 1,700 people to leave their residences since Friday's eruption, spewing lava and toxic gas from volcanic vents in the eastern corner of Hawaii's Big Island, home to about 200,000 people.

A new fissure opened Sunday night in the Leilani Estates area some 12 miles (19 km) from the volcano, prompting a cellphone alert for residents to leave homes to avoid sulfur dioxide gas, which can be life threatening at high levels.

So far no deaths or major injuries have been reported, the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said.

Kilauea: Strong quakes follow Hawaii eruptions

One 6.9 magnitude quake, south-east of the volcano, was the most powerful to hit the US state since 1975.

It briefly cut power and sent people fleeing from buildings but there was no tsunami warning.

Meanwhile, several fresh eruptions spewed fountains of lava 30m (100ft), destroying several homes and leaving fissures on three streets.

The Civil Defense Agency told any remaining residents to evacuate.

It said there were deadly levels of dangerous sulphur dioxide gas in the air and emergency crews would not be able to help anyone affected.