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Hawaii volcano eruption: drone video shows Mount Kilauea spewing lava

A drone video shows Mount Kilauea erupting and spewing fountains of lava into the sky in a residential area. The volcano eruption in Hawaii has caused a large-scale evacuation in the Leilani estates residential area, home to about 1,500 people. The footage from the unmanned aerial vehicle shows the lava oozing through the local forest. Yesterday afternoon the FAA issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for the area to prevent drones from interfering with first aid responders.

Drone video captures lava fountains

The stunning drone footage shows the Mount Kilauea’s volcanic eruption, which started last Thursday, with lava fountains being spewed up in the air in a local forest. Military reservists from the National Guard have been sent in to help residents evacuate the area by Hawaii’s Gov. David Ige. In a series of tweets he said the following:

“I am in contact with Mayor Harry Kim and Hawai‘i County, and the state is actively supporting the county’s emergency response efforts. I have also activated the Hawai‘i National Guard to support county emergency response teams with evacuations and security. The lava is flowing onto streets in the subdivision, which consists of about 770 structures. The lava flow has prompted the mandatory evacuation of about 1,700 residents of Leilani Estates. Residents are being sheltered at Pāhoa Community Center & Kea‘au Community Center. The danger is of such magnitude that it warrants preemptive and protective action in order to provide for the safety, health and welfare of the residents of Leilani Estates and surrounding areas. I am in contact with Mayor Harry Kim and Hawai‘i County, and the state is actively supporting the county’s emergency response efforts. I have also activated the Hawai‘i National Guard to support county emergency response teams with evacuations and security.”

Earlier this week a volcanic crater vent, called Puu Oo, collapsed and sent lava down the mountain slopes towards a residential area.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist, Janet Babb, said that local residents should be very careful because “lava could break to the surface, and it could do so fairly quickly”. According to a British newspaper, she continued to say that:

“It’s a situation worth monitoring very closely. The seismicity on the lower east rift zone had declined and the tilt had slowed down so that indicates that the intrusion has stalled or paused. What we don’t know is if this intrusive event is over or if it’s just taking a pause and it may pick back up.”

The U.S. Geological Survey issued a statement that said:

“A collapse of the Pu’u’ ‘O’o crater floor Monday afternoon on Kilauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone has prompted an increase in seismicity and deformation along a large section of the rift neon, with seismicity currently occurring as far east as Hwy 130.”

Local resident Ikaika Marzo said to Hawaii News Now that he had witnessed fountains of lava spewing as high as 125 feet. Other residents also mentioned to the news network that they had heard tree branches snapping and could smell the burning bush.

The Kilauea Volcano has been active for more than 30 years and its lava flows have covered 48 square miles according to the USGS.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for the area to prevent drones from interfering with first aid responders.

The Washington Post reports that a day after the volcanic eruption on the big island of Hawaii, two major earthquakes struck the area. A 5.6 magnitude quake hit south of the volcano, which was followed by a larger 6.9-magnitude temblor, according to the USGS. The last one is reportedly the largest earthquake to hit Hawaii in the last four decades.

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Avatar for Haye Kesteloo Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at DroneDJ, where he covers all drone related news and writes product reviews. He also contributes to the other sites in the 9to5Mac group such as; 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, 9to5Toys and Electrek. Haye can be reached at haye@dronedj.com or @hayekesteloo