Hawaiian authorities have warned that an explosive eruption of Mount Kilauea is imminent

Several thousands of Hawaiians had already been forced to leave the area since the volcano first erupted twelve days ago. The volcanic activity had left the southeast corner of the Big Island enveloped in ash and roads riven by lava.

Even now people are being prevented from returning home by toxic gases, falling ash and fissures which opened in the ground and began spewing molten lava.




The volcanic activity at Mount Kilauea has stoked fears of eruptions of other volcanoes along the US west coast, which is home to an 800-mile chain of 13 volcanoes.