It’s like something out of an end-of-world movie. Only this is no Hollywood script. This is the reality on Hawaii’s Big Island as Kilauea volcano erupted, sending residents scrambling and evoking scenes of an apocalypse. According to reports, streams of fiery lava have been seen running down roads, and through forests, creating chaos.
Kilauea is apparently one of the world’s most active volcanoes and its eruption was reportedly caused by several strong earthquakes that preceded the blast. Authorities warned locals that they should be prepared to leave their homes after a “volcanic crater vent known as Puu Oo” collapsed this week which sent lava spewing everywhere.
Governor David Ige activated the state’s national guard to help with the disaster:
I am in contact with @MayorHarryKim 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. #Kilauea #Volcano
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) May 4, 2018
Leilani Estates is a housing complex about six blocks from the eruption and residents were shaken by the natural disaster. Lava is apparently flowing through parts of the neighborhood now. “Within about half an hour of the eruption, it was on social media,” said Maija Stenback, who lives in Leilani Estates, “so me and my daughter went down to look at it. You could hear and feel the eruption a good half a mile away, and the closer you got, the more you could feel it.” As of yet, there have been no deaths reported.
U.S. Geological Survey
