Mesmerising pictures show huge clouds of white smoke blasting from the ocean at Kapaho Bay as molten lava sizzles when it hits the sea.
Shocking aerial images show boiling red lava raging towards Kapaho Bay after continuous eruptions on Fissure 8 created a fast-moving lava stream towards the ocean.
A river of orange lava is seen snaking through vast areas of blackened land – once the home of more than 600 families who have lost their homes to mother nature.
The earth, once lush green and tree lined, is now nothing more than an ash wasteland. Just a few scorched branches remain, showing what vegetation previously bloomed.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported increased activity on Fissure 8 at the East Rift Zone, with boiling lava travelling to the ocean at Kapoho Bay, flowing south along the shoreline and creeping into residents homes at the Kapoho Beach Lots.
Authorities have also reported high amounts of “laze”, which forms when hot magma combines with water, creating toxic steam plumes which can severely irritate the skin and eyes.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in its latest update: “Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that Fissure 8 continues to be very active and is feeding a lava channel to the ocean at Kapoho.
“The flow is expanding south along the shoreline, and is also oozing fresh lava at Kapoho Beach Lots.
“Gas emissions from the fissure eruption and laze at the ocean entry continue to be very high.
“Due to active lava near houses in Kapoho, access by residents is not allowed. No additional houses have been destroyed at this time.
“Disaster assistance is available island-wide to individuals and businesses in Hawaii County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption.”
Volcanic activity at Fissure 8 on Kilauea Volcano’s Lower East Rift Zone remains high, spattering boiling lava up to 180ft (55m) into the air.
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Hawaii’s volcano continues to erupt from Fissure 8
Residents have been warned of Pele’s hair and volcanic glass fragments in the air, which continue to fall downwind of the fissure, as the fragments can severely irritate the skin and eyes.
Volcanic gas emissions from Fissure 8 remain high, as vog (volcanic smog) is expected to the southern and western parts of Hawaii.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said: “Fountains from Fissure 8 spatter cone continue to supply lava to the open channel with only small, short-lived overflows.
“Small overflows on both sides of the upslope portion of the channel occurred shortly after midnight, June 27. None of these overflows extended past the existing flow field.
Hawaii volcano: Lava rapids stream towards ocean
“The spatter cone is now 180 ft tall at its highest point, and fountains only occasionally rise above that point. Lava is entering the sea this morning on the southern side of the entry area primarily through the open channel, but also along a 1km (0.6 mi) wide area.
“The morning overflight revealed that the northern margin of the flow field at the coast is oozing fresh lava at several points in the area of Kapoho Beach Lots.
“Pele’s hair and other lightweight volcanic glass fragments from the lava fountain at Fissure 8 continue to fall downwind of the fissure, dusting the ground within a few hundred meters (yards) of the vent.
“High winds may waft lighter particles to greater distances.”
The USGS added: “Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava in the area of the active fissures are possible.”
[“Source-express”]
