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(BIVN) – A new fissure has opened on the lower East Rift Zone and residents of Hale Kamahina Loop Road are being forced to evacuate.

According to a morning emergency message from Hawaii County Civil Defense:

Department of Public Works and Police have verified reports of a new fissure, number 18, opening up on Halekamahina Loop Road to the west, or Kalapana side of Highway 132. At this time, steam and lava spatter activity has started from this new fissure. Due to the volcanic activity, the following are issued: Residents of Hale Kamahina Loop Road are ordered to evacuate. The Pahoa Community Center and Kea’au Community Center are open. Food will be provided and the shelters are pet-friendly. Thank you for listening. Have a safe morning. This is your Hawai‘i County Civil Defense.

UPDATE – The new activity was at first thought to be fissure number 18, but it was later identified to be a continuation of fissure 17.