Hawaii eruption: 'Not the time for sightseeing' in lava-hit neighborhood

Oke News- Hawaiian authorities are urging sightseers to stay away as Leilani Estates residents return to check on their neighborhood, which is threatened by lava and toxic gases emerging from fissures in the subdivision. Big Island's Kilauea volcano erupted Thursday, spewing molten rock and high levels of sulfur dioxide. Cracks emerged in the volcano's East Rift Zone -- an area of fissures miles away from the volcano's summit. All residents of Leilani Estates, a community of about 1,700 people near Big Island's eastern edge, and nearby Lanipuna Gardens were ordered to evacuate.

Hawaii eruption: 'Not the time for sightseeing' in lava-hit neighborhood 

The Kilauea volcano has been erupting almost continuously since 1983, according to the US Geological Survey. Activity along the East Rift Zone has shifted down and then back up the rift, said CNN meteorologist Michael Guy. Each one of the episodes that has occurred in this 35-year period has lasted months to years, so there's no definitive way to predict how the volcanic activity will last, Guy said. . Sunday evening, Civil Defense said Leilani residents would be able to check on their properties until further notice between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time, with authorities on the scene determining which areas were safe to enter. "Please be aware that because of unstable conditions that involve toxic gas, earthquakes and lava activities, lines of safety can change at any time. You must be prepared to leave areas if required," it said in a statement.

Readmore www.cnn.com/2018/05/07/us/hawaii-kilauea-volcano/index.html&hl=en-ID