Hawaii's Big Island on high alert over quakes, lava fissures from erupting volcano

Hawaii's Big Island remainson high alert on Saturday after the Kilauea volcano spewed lavainto residential areas, forcing hundreds to evacuate, and aseries of earthquakes, including a powerful tremor, shook theisland.

Scientists and local officials warned residents that seismicand volcanic activity may continue after a 6.9 tremor shook buildings on the island's southeast corner a little after noonon Friday and more lava fissures were reported in a residential subdivision, where residents have been ordered toleave.

"Until we see earthquake activity dying down and the ground stops moving, it's likely that this activity is going to continue," said Tina Neal, a scientist in charge at the USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory, after a community meeting that was attended by about 300 people on Friday.

Some attendees shed tears as they asked officials aboutlooting, travel restrictions and safety precautions at the PunaGeothermal Venture, a power plant in the eruption area.

"Today'sbeen a challenging day for everyone," Neal said.

The meeting came hours after the 6.9 tremor caused buildingsto shake at the community centre in Pahoa town, one of two such centres in the area hastily set up after lava startedburbling up through fissures in the ground in nearby neighbourhoods.

Friday also saw several more eruptive lava fissures, eachseveral hundred yards long, in the Leilani Estates subdivision in the Puna District about 19 kilometresfrom thevolcano.

The Hawaii County Civil Defence Agency said in an alert thata total of six fissures had occurred. Although no significant lava flows have yet formed, additional outbreaks of lava, whichcan reach temperatures of about 1,150 Celsius, were expected, the agency said.

35-year eruption

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes and one offive on the island, has been in constant eruption for 35 years.

Lava flows from the volcano have covered 125 square kilometres, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Scientists say it is nearly impossible to predict how long an eruption willlast.

Ground video of Hawaii volcano shows close proximity of lava to neighbourhoods

6 years ago

Duration 0:58

Dramatic visuals taken by local residents before fleeing area

On Thursday, Kilauea began spewing lava into residentialareas after a series of earthquakes over the past week. Startingaround 11 a.m. on Friday, the island experienced a flurry ofearthquakes, culminating in the massive magnitude 6.9 tremor.

Some 1,700 residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardenssubdivisions were ordered to leave their homes on Thursday after publicworks officials reported steam and lava erupting from fissuresin the road, the civil defence agency said.

No injuries or deaths were reported, but Hawaii Gov.David Ige activated the Hawaii National Guard to provide emergency help.

Five houses have been destroyed, officials said.

Civil defence officials have warned the public about highlevels of sulfur dioxide near the volcano, one reason for the evacuation orders. The gas can cause skin irritations andbreathing difficulties.