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Lava Destroys More Homes In Hawaii And Fills Coastal Bay

HAWAII, Big Island (CBSMiami) — More than a month has passed since the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island began erupting and there is no sign of things easing up.

The vigorous eruption of lava continues from the lower East Rift Zone fissure system in the area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens.

The intensity of lava fountaining at Fissure 8 declined overnight, and fountain height is fluctuating between 130 and 160 feet. Fissure 8 continues to feed a channel transporting lava to the northeast along Highway 132 and east to the ocean entry in Kapoho Bay.

Kilauea Lava River

More than 150 homes have been destroyed by Hawaii's Kilauea volcano. A river of lava stretching for miles swallowed up another three dozen homes over the weekend, according to officials. One of the homes lost belonged to Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim. In nearby Kaphoho Bay, toxic steam with tiny particles of glass was released, as the lava hit the ocean for the second time since Kilauea began erupting last month.

Posted by CBS Newspath on Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Kapoho Bay is now completely filled with lava, forcing billowing clouds of steam into the atmosphere as hot lava hit the cool water of the Pacific Ocean. The Bay was where vacationers enjoyed tide pools, snorkeling and picnics.

In addition, hundreds of homes have been destroyed this week, including a house belonging to the Big Island's mayor, according to a Hawaii County spokesperson.

Over the past few days, much of the damage was reported in Kapoho and Vacationland and officials say they have no way to predict when the destruction will cease.

"It's a lot easier to forecast when an eruption will begin then to forecast when one will end," said USGS Geologist Dr. Janet Babb.

Lava is covering about an eight-square mile area or about two-tenths of one percent of the entire island.

"Depending on where the flow goes, there could be more damage ahead, so we're watching it," said Hawaii Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno.

Fissure 8 From Sky
PAHOA, HI - JUNE 1: An aerial view of Fissure 8 Fountain, which is located inside Leilani Estates, spews molten lava on June 1, 2018 in Pahoa, Hawaii. Lava was estimated to be reaching heights of 270 feet. The steam contains sulfuric acid which is extremely dangerous to breathe. (Photo by Don Smith/Getty Images)

There are other concerns as well.

"Actually what's really been keeping me up at night are the earthquakes, at the summit, it's been just rocking and rolling about every other day," said Dr. Babb.

There have been more than 12-thousand tremors since May 4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The island historically averages about one-thousand per month.

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