Hawaii volcano Kilauea: 'Once-in-a-century eruption' imminent with NO evacuation notice
HAWAII's Killeau volcano could unleash a massive "once-in-a-century" eruption in the next few days, according to leading US geologists, amid fears that the explosion could arrive without time to issue evacuation alerts.
Geologists predict major rock explosions from Kilauea volcano
The Hawaii volcano could blow its top in the coming days and cause a widespread disaster on the island, according to the latest from US officials.
State officials revealed Killeau’s activity resembles that seen "right before a major eruption in 1924, where huge rocks, called ballistic boulders, were launched from the earth".
There are fears among scientists that the next eruption, set to happen within the next few days, could be the biggest in a century.
Earlier this week, geologists warned that the rapid lowering of a lava lake in a crater raised the potential for explosions.
The devastating eruption in 1924 saw ash and boulders shoot five miles into the air, with blocks as heavy as 14 tons blasted from the crater.
The next explosion could see similar scenes of boulders flying out of the volcano and shutting down air traffic on the popular tourist destination.
Since the eruption started more than a week ago, around 2,000 residents have been evacuated and 27 homes have been destroyed, with lava now covering more than 117 acres of land.
Hawaii County Civil Defense officials have claimed that the big eruption could arrive without enough time to alert local residents.
On Friday, the officials widened the radius of their warnings as volcanic instability on the Big Island intensified.
Authorities said: "Because there may be little to no advance notice to evacuate, you should be prepared to evacuate at short notice. Take this time to prepare."
Charles Mandeville, the volcano hazards coordinator for the US Geological Survey, pointed to six "massive" explosions at Kilauea in the past few thousand years.
He said: “We know the volcano is capable of doing this. We know it is a distinct possibility. If it goes up, it will come down.
"You don’t want to be underneath anything that weighs 10 tons when it’s coming out at 120 mph."
You don’t want to be underneath anything that weighs 10 tons when it’s coming out at 120 mph
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Tina Neal explained: "What will take a turn for the worst in terms of hazard is if hotter, fresher magma makes it to the surface and that could be what is coming.
"Once a new batch of hotter, gassier magma makes it to the surface we might see larger, higher eruption rates."
Yesterday, US President Donald Trump declared the massive eruption a major disaster, to ensure federal funding will be available to help the recovery effort.
Scientists believe the lava that has been erupting has been stored in the ground since the last eruption 63 years ago.