2018 lower Puna lava outbreaks

In early May 2018, hundreds of small earthquakes were detected on Kīlauea’s East rift zone, leading
officials to issue evacuation warnings. On May 3, 2018, the volcano erupted in Puna after a 5.0
earthquake earlier in the day, causing evacuations of the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens
subdivisions.[38][39] That evening, Hawaii Governor David Ige activated the state National Guard to
help with the evacuation process.[40]

On May 4, two homes were reported destroyed in Leilani Estates from three erupting vents.[40] The
Civil Defense Agency has reported extreme levels of sulphur dioxide gas in the area, and Talmadge
Mango, the Civil Defense Administrator for Hawaii County, stated that power lines had melted off
the poles due to heat.[41][42] The Puna Geothermal Venture, a geothermal power station, was shut
down, and a no-fly zone was instituted over the eruption area.[40] A seemingly related 6.9
magnitude earthquake occurred on May 4.[43] A smaller 5.3 magnitude quake had preceded the
larger tremor by a few hours.[44]Scientist can't predict when Kilauea will eruption.[45]