Pele is on the move

After several days of almost continuous earthquake activity, an eruption has occurred on the southeastern part od Hawaii Island. Residents said for days the ground never stopped shaking. This afternoon a rift opened up in Leilani Estates which is just east of Kalapana, for those who are familiar with past eruptions. Fountaining along the rift has occurred and a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for a portion of Leilani subdivision.

It has been quite a few years since a new rift has opened up in the Puna district. However, the Puna district is on the East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano and eruptions there are not unexpected. Residents live with the knowledge that eruptions are probable.