2018 lower Puna eruption facts for kids
The 2018 lower Puna eruption was a big volcanic event. It happened on the island of Hawaii. This eruption started on May 3, 2018. It came from the Kīlauea volcano. On the same day, a strong 6.9 earthquake also hit.
This eruption caused many things to happen. There were lava fountains that shot up to 300 feet high. Hot lava flows spread across the land. Volcanic gas filled the air. These events mostly happened in the Leilani Estates area.
By May 6, 2018, the eruption had already destroyed 26 homes. This volcanic event was part of a longer eruption. It was the 62nd time lava had erupted from the east rift zone. That longer eruption began way back in January 1983.
How the Eruption Started
On May 3, 2018, an earthquake of 5.0 happened. After that, cracks opened in the ground in Leilani Estates. Steam came out of these cracks. Soon, lava started to pour out. Because of this, people living in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens had to leave their homes.
The very next day, May 4, the first two houses were destroyed. This happened in Leilani Estates. Lava was erupting from three different spots.
Dangers from the Volcano
The Civil Defense Agency reported high levels of sulphur dioxide gas. This gas is very dangerous. Talmadge Magno, a local official, said the heat was so strong. It melted power lines right off their poles.
By May 25, 2018, more than 20 cracks had opened. Lava erupted from these cracks. They were in or near Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens. At least 82 buildings were destroyed in this area. About two thousand people had to leave their homes.
Lava Flows and New Land
The cracks sent out rivers of lava. On May 19, some of these lava rivers covered part of Hawaii Route 137. The lava then began flowing into the ocean. On May 29, lava got close to Hawaii Route 132. This forced that road to close too.
By July 12, the lava flows had covered a huge area. It was more than 12.4 square miles (32 square kilometers). The lava also created new land in the ocean. About 655 acres (2.65 square kilometers) of new land appeared. By July 9, the eruption had destroyed 700 houses. The eruption finally stopped around August 15, 2018.
Images for kids
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Animation of fissures and lava flows from May 12 to August 14
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Ash from Kilauea Eruption, right image shows the height of the plume by color.
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Blue flames from burning methane gas in Leilani Estates, on 22 May 2018, 11:30 p.m. HST.
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Map of ongoing intrusion and earthquake activity along Kīlauea's East Rift Zone (May 2, 2018)
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Collapse in the crater of Puʻu ʻŌʻō, creating an ash plume (May 3, 2018)
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Eruption in the Leilani Estates subdivision (May 3, 2018)
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A lava flow moves on Makamae Street in Leilani Estates at 09:32 am HST on May 6
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Map of the locations of eruptive fissures (May 5, 2018)
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Lava emerges from the elongated fissure 16-20
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Lava from the Fissure 20 complex is entering the ocean in two locations
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Hot lava entering the ocean creates a dense white plume
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Ocean entry and wildfires
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Coastal area
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Lava fountains at fissure 22
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Lava fountain at fissure 22, from the north side of the fissure complex
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Lava channels flowing southward from the fissure
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Lava enters the sea at two locations after crossing Hawaii Route 137
