Hawaii volcano: Kilauea could blast 'ballistic rocks' for miles in explosive eruption, geologists warn

Plummeting lava lake poses new hazards

Lava cools in a resident's yard in the Leilani Estates subdivision during ongoing eruptions of the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii (REUTERS/Terray Sylvester)

An erupting Hawaii volcano that has been belching out lava and gas could see “explosive eruptions” in the coming weeks, geologists have warned.

The US Geological Survey cautioned that Kilauea volcano could blast “ballistic blocks” potentially weighing multiple tonnes as far as half a mile away.

Smaller, pebble-sized rocks could be hurled several miles away, the geological monitor said, and explosions could rain ash down on the surrounding area.

The risk of explosions is rising as a lava lake within a volcanic crater drops, which could result in water seeping in and setting off steam-driven blasts. The lava lake has plummeted more than 656 feet in recent days, geologists said.

If explosions do occur, residents may have little time to prepare.

“Steam-driven explosions at volcanoes typically provide very little warning”, the US Geological Survey bulletin said.

More than a dozen vents have opened in Kilauea over the past week, pouring lava and smoke into residential areas and prompting mass evacuations.

Authorities issued a fresh set of evacuation orders for the town of Laninupa Gardens as two new vents opened, warning of hazardous fumes. Governor David Ige warned that seismic activity was increasing even as lava flows were tapering off.

“Gas continues to be a threat so please follow instructions to keep yourself and family safe”, Mr Ige said on Twitter.

The eruption has destroyed dozens of structures so far. Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration freeing up federal resources, and Mr Ige warned that the volatility of volcanoes would mean residents had to remain alert.

“We don’t get a volcano forecast of where the eruption or where the next fissure will occur, and once it happens then it really impacts that community very quickly”, Mr Ige said earlier this week.