Evening Updates on the Kilauea Volcano Eruption - Big Island of Hawaii - Over 500 Homes Destroyed Overnight!

photo from usgs

• In the most incredible natural event seen in over half a century the lava from Fissure 8 has filled in Kapoho Bay, and covered large areas of Kapoho and Vacationland. Hawaii County officials have reported that over 500 homes were destroyed. This number does not reflect the total number of structures destroyed as the Hawaii County is only reporting the permitted structures that have been destroyed. On the Big Island of Hawaii there are a large number of unpermitted structures.

• The entire island of Hawaii watched in disbelief as the lava filled all of Kapoho Bay, which was known for its snorkeling and swimming areas, and extended out 3/4 of a mile out to sea, completely changing the landscape of this once lush and scenic area.

• The only good thing, if you can call it good, is that most of the homes were for vacation rentals. According to the last census there were roughly 600 homes in this area.

map from usgs

• The number of earthquakes as gone down but there were still 285 earthquakes of which another 5.5 occurred in the summit region of Kilauea Volcano, being the largest.

• Inward slumping of the rim and walls of Halemaʻumaʻu crater continues in response to ongoing subsidence of the summit. The scientist believe that further ash explosions, and thus debris, are likely.