Lava flow breakout moves forward in Hawaii
- 10 years ago
A lava flow breakout from Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano continued its slow march toward the town of Pahoa on Sunday.
Television footage obtained from the County of Hawaii showed the flow breaking out near a cemetery.
Earlier in the week, the flow destroyed its first home. Residents of about 50 homes in the lava's projected path have been making preparations to flee for weeks, many emptying their houses of belongings in case an evacuation became necessary.
Pahoa, a town of about 800 people, stands on the site of a former sugar cane plantation on the eastern edge of the Big Island. Most of the town's business district lies to the south of the area in greatest danger.
Kilauea's current eruption began in 1983, and the flow of lava that has menaced Pahoa began bubbling out of the volcano's Pu'u O'o vent on June 27 and has crept a distance of 13.5 miles (21.7 kilometers) since then.
The leading edge of the lava can reach temperatures of about 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit
Television footage obtained from the County of Hawaii showed the flow breaking out near a cemetery.
Earlier in the week, the flow destroyed its first home. Residents of about 50 homes in the lava's projected path have been making preparations to flee for weeks, many emptying their houses of belongings in case an evacuation became necessary.
Pahoa, a town of about 800 people, stands on the site of a former sugar cane plantation on the eastern edge of the Big Island. Most of the town's business district lies to the south of the area in greatest danger.
Kilauea's current eruption began in 1983, and the flow of lava that has menaced Pahoa began bubbling out of the volcano's Pu'u O'o vent on June 27 and has crept a distance of 13.5 miles (21.7 kilometers) since then.
The leading edge of the lava can reach temperatures of about 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit