Hawaii volcano eruption: Deadly lava flows force emergency evacuation; see devastating photos

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Fast-moving lava from the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii forced officials to shut down a part of a highway on Tuesday, May 29. The officials also warned the residents that the sharp, thin strands of volcanic glass fibres could harm their eyes and lungs. The residents from Lava Tree State Park to Four Corners, who had not evacuated their houses, were asked to exit immediately. The Kilauea volcano entered its fourth week on Sunday of what may be an unprecedented, simultaneous eruption at its summit crater. Lava flows have blocked roads and damaged dozens of buildings on Hawaii's Big Island.

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Earlier on Tuesday, a small explosion of ash erupted from the summit of the volcano, the latest outburst in a month of volcanic activity. (AP)

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The US Geological Survey has warned that the ash was drifting northwest of the island and liable to affect anyone in the vicinity. (Reuters)

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Hundreds of people have been ordered to leave the area of one of the world's most active volcanoes in its biggest eruption cycle in a century. (Reuters)

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The lava from the volcano has destroyed more than 400 electric poles and other equipment, causing power outages in Hawaii. (AP)

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According to the US Geological Survey, one fountain of lava rose even more than 200 feet on Monday, May 28. (Reuters)

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The officials are also on high alert due to occasional earthquakes, though most have been small. (AP)

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So far no deaths have been blamed on the eruption, though a man's leg was shattered when he was hit by a plate-size chunk of lava rock, reported Reuters. (AP)

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The County of Hawaii officials said that contingency plans were made for a possible helicopter evacuation of up to 1,000 residents in a coastal area south of the fissures, in case their last exit route, State Highway 130, gets blocked by lava or becomes unsafe due to gaping cracks. (AP)

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As reported by Reuters, at least 82 homes were destroyed and about 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate their houses since Kilauea began erupting on May 3. (AP)

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The lava also flowed into the Pacific Ocean during ongoing eruptions of the volcano. (AP)

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Kilauea volcano that is oozing, spewing and exploding on Hawaii's Big Island got more hazardous in recent days, with rivers of molten rock pouring into the ocean. (AP)

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In a photo released by the US Geological Survey on May 19, lava was seen flowing from fissures near Pahoa in Hawaii. Officials had also distributed face masks to residents in the area to help them protect themselves against ash particles. (AP)

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Volcanic activities were also reported from the Malama Ki and Leilani Estates neighbourhoods near Pahoa. (AP)

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Flames were also seen in a lava flow on a highway near Pahoa during ongoing eruptions of the volcano. (AP)

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Officials said that some vents formed by Kilauea volcano were releasing such high levels of sulfur dioxide that the gas posed an immediate danger to anyone nearby. (AP)