Smoldering lava from a slow-erupting volcano has reached within yards (several meters) of homes on Hawaii's Big Island, emergency officials said Monday as villagers braced to evacuate.
The lava flow from the Kilauea volcano has been threatening nearby homes for weeks, and was 100 yards (91 meters) from the nearest house by early Monday. The lava front was moving at between 10-15 yards (9-14 m) an hour.
"Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path were placed on an evacuation advisory," said the County of Hawaii's Civil Defense force in an online update.
The slow-moving waves of lava, burning everything in its path, had advanced some 275 yards (251 m) in the past 24 hours towards Pahoa town, on the eastern tip of the island, officials said.
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi declared a state of emergency last month after the lava advanced to within a mile (1.6 km) of a residential area known as the Ka'ohe Homesteads.
Last week, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration to unlock federal resources to help local emergency protective measures.
As the lava threatens a main road in the area, measures needed include providing alternative routes and accommodating some 900 children that will be displaced by the lava, according to Abercrombie's office.
Hawaii Island, or the Big Island, is the largest of the eight main islands which make up the Pacific US state -- an archipelago that includes hundreds of smaller volcanic islands.
Source: AFP
GMT 09:00 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Hong Kong engulfed in smogGMT 06:52 2018 Friday ,19 January
Six dead as huge storms batter EuropeGMT 07:02 2018 Thursday ,18 January
China says Iranian oil tanker wreck locatedGMT 07:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Philippines' Mayon volcano alert raisedGMT 08:14 2018 Sunday ,14 January
Fossil fuels blown away by windGMT 10:36 2018 Friday ,12 January
Race to save Indonesian croc strickenGMT 08:07 2018 Wednesday ,10 January
Philippines to protest over China activityGMT 08:56 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Bacteria makes blue jeans greenMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©