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New fissures open up on erupting Hawaii volcano

Posted at 10:31 AM, May 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-13 10:32:57-04

HAWAII (CNN) — Two new fissures opened on Hawaii’s Big Island late Saturday night, spewing lava and fueling fears of violent explosions more than a week after the Kilauea volcano erupted.

Nearly 2,000 people have been evacuated since the Kilauea volcano erupted May 3, sending lava flowing into communities and threatening a nearby geothermal plant.

The 17th fissure, a crack on the ground through which lava pours out, was reported late Saturday night, the US Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said on Sunday.

“Lava from this latest outbreak is actively spattering,” it said.

The volcanic vents, or fissures, have released slow-moving lava and toxic gas into island communities, gobbling up dozens of homes and vehicles.

Another fissure, the 16th one, was reported earlier Saturday and “produced a lava flow that traveled about 250 yards before stalling,” officials said.

Trump declares a major disaster in Hawaii after volcanic eruptions and lava

That vent was about a mile east of the Puna Geothermal Venture plant, where officials removed 60,000 gallons of flammable liquids due to safety concerns.

In addition to the new fissures, USGS officials said an explosive eruption is possible at Halemaumau crater at the top of the Kilauea volcano. Such an eruption could generate ash plumes over an area 12 miles from the summit crater, the HOV said.

President Trump signs disaster declaration

President Donald Trump declared a major disaster in Hawaii on Friday. The declaration allows federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the Kilauea volcanic eruption and earthquake.

Federal funding is available to state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis, the White House said.

The estimated cost to protect residents over the next 30 days is expected to exceed $2.9 million, according to the governor’s office.