Hawaii volcano eruption destroys at least 21 homes

Lava flows from Kilauea volcano.
(Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey via Getty Images)

At least 21 houses have been destroyed by lava flowing from the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, officials said Sunday.

The eruption started late Thursday afternoon, and scientists said at one point lava was spewing more than 200 feet into the air. U.S. Geological Survey volcanologist Wendy Stovall said that two new fissures have emerged in the Leilani Estates subdivision, and "there's more magma in the system to be erupted. As long as that supply is there, the eruption will continue." More than 1,700 people have been evacuated from the area, and it's unknown when they'll be able to return to the neighborhood.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.