Fast-moving lava crossed a road and isolated about 40 homes on Friday in a rural subdivision below Hawaii's Kilauea volcano,forcing at least four people to be evacuated by county and National Guard helicopters.
Geologists had warned eruptions could begin once Kilauea's falling lava lake descended below the water table.
Such eruptions,last seen nearly a century ago,have been a threat since Kilauea,one of the world's most active volcanoes,erupted nearly two weeks ago.
Yet another fissure has opened on Hawaii's Kilauea volcano,spewing rocks and magma and threatening more homes,although some residents are staying put.
Within hours,the fissure piled lava about 12 metres high and at least 45 metres in length. Chunks of magma were being spewed 30 meters in the air.
Pompeii officials displayed a cast of the horse,which appeared to have been lying on its left flank when it died.
The eruption on Friday morning happened suddenly and was accompanied by a rumbling sound with medium to strong pressure.
Local meteorologists said the change in prevailing winds could send Kilauea's volcanic smog,or vog,north-west to Maui and other islands in Hawaii.
The ongoing surge in volcanic activity on Hawaii's Big Island soon could cause a massive explosion from a volcano's summit,scientists and Hawaii officials have warned.
The lava inched toward Mike Hale’s property in a slow,unstoppable wave,consuming everything it touched.
Lava spewing in fountains up to 90 meters high from an erupting Hawaiian volcano has destroyed 35 homes and other buildings.