A geologist inspects cracks on a road in Leilani Estates, following the eruption of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, May 17, 2018.Reuters
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano that erupted last week is showing no signs of slowing down. On Thursday, an eruption at the volcano sent ash 30,000 ft into the sky, with scientists warning of further activity in the future.
The eruption led to the evacuation of the staff at the volcano observatory and the national park. On Wednesday, the volcano launched a new round of projectiles which were the size of microwave ovens.
Kilauea is one of the most active volcano is the world, and has been erupting continuously since 30 years.
Earlier this week, the Geological Survey warned the chances of eruption were becoming more likely as the volcano's lava lake was lowering. This increases the risk of steam-powered explosions as the magma meets underground water. Steam explosions could see 6,100-meter ash plume expelled from the volcano.
Experts said the volcano reached highest level of danger and could blow its top at any moment.
Officials upgraded the warning from “orange” to “red,” creating fresh concerns among the Hawaiians.
“At any time, activity may become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent,” officials said, reported news.com.au.
The volcano also caused a series of earthquakes Tuesday, one of them with a magnitude of 4.4, ripping up the roads and damaging buildings.
Eruptions have opened 20 vents in the ground, releasing high levels of sulfur dioxide that posed an immediate danger to anyone living nearby. The authorities advised people to seek medical attention or leave the area if affected by the gas.
About 2,000 people were evacuated and dozens of homes and vehicles destroyed by the eruptions. Volcanic smog from the fissures is aggravating respiratory problems and causing flu, fatigue and irritation.
"Because of their small size, aerosol particles such as those in smog penetrate deep into the human lung and are readily retained," the Geological Survey said.
Acid rain was also forecasted, which could damage buildings, metal objects and plants and contaminate water resources.
On Monday, the lava flowing from fissures threatened highways and forced evacuations before the lava could block the last.
Lava erupts from a Kilauea volcano fissure, above treetops, on Hawaii's Big Island in Kapoho, Hawaii, May 17, 2018. The U.S. Geological Survey said the volcano erupted explosively in the early morning hours today launching a plume about 30,000 feet into the sky. Mario Tama/Getty ImagesSteam cracks are shown before a fissure opened on Kaupili Street in the Leilani Estates subdivision caused by an eruption of the Kilauea Volcano is shown following a series of earthquakes, in Hawaii, May 4, 2018. USGS/Handout via REUTERSPiper Lynn, 37, center, picks up a meal at a community donation center with her children, Jacob, 15, Zachary, 2, and Kiera, 13, from left, after the family was evacuated from their home due to eruptions of the nearby Kilauea Volcano on Monday in Pahoa, Hawaii, May 7, 2018. REUTERS/Terray SylvesterThe Kilauea Volcano 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. USGS/Handout via REUTERSAn ash plume rises from the Halemaumau crater within the Kilauea volcano summit caldera at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, May 9, 2018. The volcano has spewed lava and high levels of sulfur dioxide gas into communities, leading officials to order 1,700 to evacuate. Officials have confirmed 26 homes were destroyed by lava in Leilani Estates. Mario Tama/Getty ImagesKilauea volcano's summit lava lake shows a significant drop of roughly 220 metres below the crater rim in this wide angle camera view showing the entire north portion of the Overlook crater in Hawaii, May 6, 2018. USGS/Handout via REUTERSASTER image acquired May 6 picks up hotspots on the thermal infrared bands – shown in yellow. These hotspots are newly formed fissures and lava flows.NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science TeamLava erupts from a fissure east of the Leilani Estates subdivision during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Terray SylvesteSmoke and lava erupt from a fissure near a home on the outskirts of Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Terray SylvesterIn this picture obtained from social media, a plume of ash emerges moments after Kilauea erupted in this still image taken from a time-lapse video shot between May 16 and May 17, 2018, near Kilauea, Hawaii. Gemini Observatory/AURA/NSF/via REUTERSLava spews from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano in this still image taken from a May 13, 2018, video obtained from social media. Josh Doran/via REUTERSTwo dogs named Bella and Bully wait in their crates at a Red Cross evacuation center in Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 15, 2018. REUTERS/Terray SylvesterKilauea up at Halema'uma'u crater at the summit is seen from Volcano Golf and Country Club in Hawaii County, Hawaii, May 15, 2018KIMBERLY BISHOP/via REUTERSHawaii National Guard soldiers wear masks to protect themselves from volcanic gases in Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 17, 2018. REUTERS/Terray SylvesterLava spattering from an area between fissures 16 and 20 in Hawaii, May 16, 2018. USGS/Handout via REUTERSClose view of a rock hurled from the Overlook crater during an explosive event May 15, 2018. The rock broke apart on impact. USGS/Handout via REUTERSA volunteer distributes free dust masks in Keaau to protect against volcanic ash during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, May 17, 2018. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester
