Hawaii residents near active volcano warned of health hazards beyond being, oh, burned alive by hot lava

Xeni Jardin

12:09 pm Thu, Nov 13, 2014

Lava claims first home in Pahoa [USGS]

Civil defense officials in Hawaii went door-to-door last night handing out evacuation notices to residents in the immediate downslope path of the Puna lava flow.

Right now, no mandatory evacuations are issued, but officials wanted to ensure residents are aware of the latest activity. “In addition to the county notice,” reports Hawaii News Now, “Officials handed out paperwork explaining the potential health effects some may suffer as a result of smoke exposure and low levels of sulfur dioxide.”

The most active breakout is the flow to the right, which forms a relatively narrow finger about 390 yards upslope from Apaʻa Street.
Image: USGS

Lava claims first home in Pahoa [USGS]

The house which was recently destroyed by lava is just below the center of the photo. Lava bypassed the garage, which still stands at the center of the photo. Lava briefly entered the fish pond next to the house, before continuing downslope.
Image: USGS

Lava claims first home in Pahoa [USGS]