Hawaii volcano eruption: Lava ISLAND emerges at SEA oozing lava as crater EXPLODES

THE Hawaii volcano eruption has caused a lava island to form in the sea just off the coast of the Big Island, as the Mount Kilauea crater exploded with the force of a 5.2 magnitude earthquake.

Lava channels flowing into the ocean bed have caused an island to appeal in the sea just from Kapaho Bay.

And lava is “oozing” from the island, according to the Hawaii Civil Defense Agency.

The agency has warned residents to steer clear of the active lava flow, due to the possibility of lava spilling over from channels.

Seismic activity is still causing disruption on the Big Island, changing Hawaii’s landscape forever.

On Friday at 4.53pm local time, a small 2.59 magnitude earthquake was recorded.

And a few hours later at 7.15pm local time, the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory reported a “collapse/explosive event” with energy equal to a 5.2 magnitude earthquake, which occurred at Halemaumau Crater of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano at 7.08pm.

The agency confirmed there is no tsunami threat to the island as a result of the earthquakes.

More than 20 fissures have appeared in and around Big Island since the volcano first erupted in May of this year.

Lava entering the sea and releasing multiple laze plumes at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

The ocean entry where lava from Mt Kilauea entering the sea, Kapoho area

Lava destroys homes in the Kapoho area, east of Pahoa

Kilauea's lower east rift zone eruption continues

Fissure 22 has been dormant throughout the last week, with no reports of lava leaking from the crack.

Fissure 8, considered one of the most aggressive points of the lava flow, has shot lava over 10,000 feet into the air over the last month.

The lava has been spreading across the island, making its way towards the pacific ocean where, upon contact with sea water, produces a corrosive and harmful gas called laze, which can cause lung collapse, respiratory problems and serious health issues.

The agency warned Hawaiians to avoid laze plumes, to minimize exposure to hydrochloric acid and glass particles, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.

Kilauea continues to spew lava and ash
Kilauea continues to spew lava and ash.

Motorists have been warned to be on the lookout for cracks in roadways, while residents have been advised to seek cover if ash clouds are observed. Meanwhile, assistance is available island-wide to individuals and businesses in Hawaii County that have been affected by the Kilauea eruption.

At around 00.45 local time in Hawaii (11.45am + 1 BST), the US Geological Survey (USGS) Fissure 22 has no visible activity. No other fissures are active but many were steaming this morning, possibly due to the increasing humidity in the area.

The USGS update said that the Kapoho Crater continues to be the main ocean entry at the southern edge of the flow front.

And despite no visible surface connection to the Fissure 8 channel, lava continues to ooze out at several points on the 6 km (3.7 mi) wide flow front into the ocean, which has been marked as a ”highly hazardous area”.

The town of Kapoho, in the Puna district of Hawaii County, is now uninhabited. By early June, the town had been largely destroyed by lava and the bay filled in and extended out into the ocean.