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Hawaiian village Pahoa evacuates as Kilauea lava threatens Hawaiian village Pahoa evacuates as Kilauea lava threatens
(about 3 hours later)
Residents of a Hawaiian village threatened by lava have begun evacuating as the flow reaches 75yds (68m) from the first house in its path.Residents of a Hawaiian village threatened by lava have begun evacuating as the flow reaches 75yds (68m) from the first house in its path.
Two roads to Pahoa have been closed and a cemetery has already been overtaken by the flow from the Kilauea volcano.Two roads to Pahoa have been closed and a cemetery has already been overtaken by the flow from the Kilauea volcano.
Kilauea on the Big Island has been erupting since 1983, but lava has recently burst forth from a new vent.Kilauea on the Big Island has been erupting since 1983, but lava has recently burst forth from a new vent.
The town's residents will be allowed to watch the destruction of their homes, Hawaiian officials say.The town's residents will be allowed to watch the destruction of their homes, Hawaiian officials say.
The accommodation will "provide for a means of closure" Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira told the Associated Press news agency.The accommodation will "provide for a means of closure" Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira told the Associated Press news agency.
"You can only imagine the frustration as well as... despair they're going through.""You can only imagine the frustration as well as... despair they're going through."
Residents will also be allowed back to take photos and video for insurance purposes.Residents will also be allowed back to take photos and video for insurance purposes.
Many residents of the town of 800 have already left or made plans to do so, Mr Oliveira said.Many residents of the town of 800 have already left or made plans to do so, Mr Oliveira said.
The couple living in the house closest to the flow have evacuated but have been returning to gather belongings, he said.The couple living in the house closest to the flow have evacuated but have been returning to gather belongings, he said.
Can you stop lava?Can you stop lava?
At temperatures of about 1,000C (1,832F), lava destroys whatever it touches. Its path is notoriously hard to predict.At temperatures of about 1,000C (1,832F), lava destroys whatever it touches. Its path is notoriously hard to predict.
The ability to impede or redirect lava largely depends on location, resources and luck.The ability to impede or redirect lava largely depends on location, resources and luck.
Decades ago in Hawaii, the US attempted to bomb a lava flow, only to see the bomb craters refill. In Iceland, crews made use of billions of gallons of cold water around a nearby harbour to cool the lava in place. And barriers along Mount Etna in Italy redirected a flow away from a tourist area. But these attempts have been helped by a natural slowing or halting of lava eruptions.Decades ago in Hawaii, the US attempted to bomb a lava flow, only to see the bomb craters refill. In Iceland, crews made use of billions of gallons of cold water around a nearby harbour to cool the lava in place. And barriers along Mount Etna in Italy redirected a flow away from a tourist area. But these attempts have been helped by a natural slowing or halting of lava eruptions.
"You have to be in a wealthy country with a lot at stake to even consider" lava diversion, Dr Shannon Nawotniak told the BBC, considering the volume of volcanic eruptions and the potential costs. "You have to be in a wealthy country with a lot at stake to even consider" lava diversion, Dr Shannon Nawotniak told the BBC, particularly given the volume of volcanic eruptions and the potential costs.
"You might buy yourself some time until the volcano stops itself.""You might buy yourself some time until the volcano stops itself."
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"They are out of the property and awaiting the events to unfold.""They are out of the property and awaiting the events to unfold."
The flow, now 55yds wide, advanced about 275yds between Sunday morning and Monday morning.The flow, now 55yds wide, advanced about 275yds between Sunday morning and Monday morning.
It has been moving at an average of five to 10yds an hour, but has done so fitfully, sometimes slowing down to two yards or speeding up to 20, depending on topography, said Janet Babb, a spokeswoman for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.It has been moving at an average of five to 10yds an hour, but has done so fitfully, sometimes slowing down to two yards or speeding up to 20, depending on topography, said Janet Babb, a spokeswoman for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Decomposed vegetation in the lava's path has also produced methane explosions at the front of the flow, Ms Babb said.Decomposed vegetation in the lava's path has also produced methane explosions at the front of the flow, Ms Babb said.
"It's not a massive explosion," she said. "But it can dislodge rocks.""It's not a massive explosion," she said. "But it can dislodge rocks."
After the new vent opened in July, lava threatened a separate community before coming to a standstill in September.After the new vent opened in July, lava threatened a separate community before coming to a standstill in September.
Resident Imelda Raras said she and her husband were ready to go to a friend's home if need be.Resident Imelda Raras said she and her husband were ready to go to a friend's home if need be.
"We are still praying," she told the Associated Press. "I hope our home will be spared.""We are still praying," she told the Associated Press. "I hope our home will be spared."