Hawaii volcano eruption brings the state's worst earthquake in decades
Right on the heels of Thursday's volcano eruption in Hawaii, a pair of earthquakes struck the state as residents contended with ongoing evacuations and noxious gas in the air.
The first, a 5.4-magnitude quake according to the United States Geological Survey, occurred at around 11:30 a.m. local time near the southern coast of Hawaii's Big Island, just south of Kilauea volcano. A second, 6.9-magnitude quake followed roughly an hour later.
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According to the USGS, the latter one was the state's strongest since a 7.1-magnitude quake that hit in "almost exactly the same location" in 1975.
M 6.9 - 16km SW of Leilani Estates, Hawaii, 2018-05-04 22:32:55 UTC, 5.0 km depth. https://t.co/g2hWHdnPex This is in almost exactly the same location at the deadly 1975 M 7.1 earthquake. pic.twitter.com/ImkbbL1ruq
— USGS_Seismic (@usgs_seismic) May 4, 2018
Lighter earthquakes continued into Saturday morning as a result of ongoing volcanic activity. You can keep track of them yourself right here.
In a notice posted on Friday afternoon, the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency had little to say about the tremors. The biggest threat continues to be the high levels of sulfur dioxide found in the evacuation area, released as volcanic activity causes fissures to open in the ground.
That could change, however. "The [evacuated areas around Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivision] continues to be unstable with multiple volcanic eruptions happening," the notice reads. "No one is allowed into the area. Do not attempt to return to your home at this time."
Hawaii representative Tulsi Gabbard discussed the dangers of the noxious gas in a CNN appearance on Friday.
"Sulfur dioxide gas can be so toxic and thick in some areas that it can be fatal, especially to those who have respiratory illnesses,” she said.
"The wind can push [the gas] in different directions, so that’s a very serious concern given the high levels. ... [People] don’t necessarily have the kinds of protective gas masks that they would need if they were right in the thick of this gas."
This is how one Big Island family reacted when they were caught off guard by a strong earthquake Friday.
LIST of shelters, closures: https://t.co/Um08fpK30n
LAVA PHOTOS: https://t.co/i0ZHMD6XUG#HINews #HNN pic.twitter.com/zprlGgCR1N— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) May 5, 2018
WOW...just look at this footage. Chance Agpoon shot this while helping transport geologists near the eruption site via helicopter.
TONIGHT at 11 on @8NewsNow: We get a firsthand account of the Kilauea eruption and earthquakes to hit the Big Island. #8NN pic.twitter.com/2Yvj07CF4T— Darlene Melendez (@DarleneMelendez) May 5, 2018
Caught amazing video for @cnn of a lava eruption. This is one of six fissures in a small #Hawaii neighborhood, part of the #Kīlauea #Volcano eruption and ensuing earthquakes. pic.twitter.com/spSWpzHKtI
— Jason Kravarik (@jasonkCNN) May 5, 2018
Apparently this 6.9 earthquake was the biggest in Hawaii since 1975 and I just so happened to get it on video pic.twitter.com/Odk08Q2bPV
— 𝕥𝕒𝕪𝕝𝕠𝕣 (@TCIMS) May 5, 2018
#earthquake #hawaii video my boyfriend took in our house in Papaikou during the 6.9 earthquake 😳 pic.twitter.com/xAAjeN1zFO
— Allison (@Allieb1792) May 5, 2018