A massive geyser of lava erupts from a fissure of the Kilauea volcano on Tuesday, May 29.
In pictures: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts
A massive geyser of lava erupts from a fissure of the Kilauea volcano on Tuesday, May 29. Jim Mahoney/AP
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted in early May, sending a smoldering flow of lava into residential areas on the Big Island.
Authorities ordered people living in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens to take shelter in local community centers. Volcanic vents, or fissures, have cracked open across the area and gobbled up dozens of homes and vehicles.
The eruption came after hundreds of earthquakes jarred the island’s eastern side. And since Kilauea's massive eruption, more than 2,000 quakes have struck on or around the Big Island.
Kilauea has threatened residents with the eruption of its Puu Oo vent since 1983, according to the US Geological Survey.
This aerial image shows an outbreak of fast-moving lava heading toward the Leilani Estates community on Sunday, May 27. U.S. Geological Survey/AP
Lava illuminates the night sky behind Sacred Heart Church as volcanic gases rise in Pahoa, Hawaii, on May 27. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Hardened lava covers a section of roadway in Leilani Estates on Saturday, May 26. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Zivile Roditis, right, hugs Howie Rosin shortly after her home was destroyed in Leilani Estates on Friday, May 25. Mario Tama/Getty Images
People walk on hardened lava in Leilani Estates as lava erupts in the distance on May 24. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Blue flames of burning methane gas peek through cracks in a street on May 23. Lava from the volcano has been burning through plants and shrubs, producing methane. When this methane is ignited, it produces a blue flame. U.S. Geological Survey/AP
Lava flows are seen in this satellite image captured May 23 by the European Space Agency. European Space Agency
Lava erupts from a fissure on May 21. Jae C. Hong/AP
Lava enters the ocean off Highway 137 on May 20. Jae C. Hong/AP
Plumes of laze rise as lava enters the Pacific Ocean near Pahoa on May 20. Laze — a mashup of "lava" and "haze" — is a nasty product formed when hot lava hits the ocean, sending hydrochloric acid and volcanic glass particles into the air. Jae C. Hong/AP
Lava flows from fissures near Pahoa on May 19. U.S. Geological Survey/AP
Lava erupts and flows from a fissure of the Kilauea volcano on May 18. Mario Tama/Getty Images
People play golf as an ash plume from the Kilauea volcano rises in the distance on May 15. Mario Tama/Getty Images
An aerial view shows a fissure that erupted in Kilauea’s East Rift Zone on May 13. Bruce Omori/Paradise Helicopters/EPA
Neighbors survey lava damage in Leilani Estates on May 9. Mario Tama/Getty Images
A plume of smoke rises from a crater within the Kilauea volcano summit on May 9. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Lava engulfs a sports car in Puna, Hawaii, on May 6. A local resident caught the moment on video. WXChasing/Reuters/Newscom
Flames and lava overtake a home in Leilani Estates on May 6. Trevor Hughes/USA Today
Lava overtakes homes in Leilani Estates on May 6. Bruce Omori/Paradise Helicopters/EPA
Leilani Estates residents Lucina Aquilina, left, and Elizabeth Kerekgyarto embrace before parting ways outside Kerekgyarto's home. Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Advertiser/AP
Greg Chunn takes pictures as lava advances across a neighbor's yard in Leilani Estates. Trevor Hughes/USA Today
A lava lake is seen at the volcano’s summit near Pahoa. U.S. Geological Survey/AP
A home in Leilani Estates is engulfed in flames. Trevor Hughes/USA Today
Lava moves in Leilani Estates. Trevor Hughes/USA Today
Leilani Estates resident Sam Knox watches lava creep across a road on May 5. Marco Garcia/AP
A new fissure erupts in Leilani Estates on May 5. U.S. Geological Survey/AP
Volunteers prepare to distribute goods to evacuees. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Volcanic gas steams from a vent below a sign for Leilani Estates. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Personnel at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park turn visitors away on May 5. The park was forced to close because of the volcanic activity. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
A man watches lava spewing from a fissure in Leilani Estates on May 4. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
Local residents pray before the start of a community meeting with authorities on May 4. Marco Garcia/AP
A column of ash belches from the Kilauea volcano on May 4. U.S. Geological Survey/AP
Stella Calio, a resident from Leilani Estates, watches videos of the eruption that took place near her home. Marco Garcia/AP
A new crack is visible on the west side of Puu Oo on May 2. U.S. Geological Survey/ZUMA Wire
Produced by Sarah Tilotta, Brett Roegiers, Kyle Almond and Clint Alwahab
