Photos: The eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 22

A volcanic fissure with lava fountains reaches more than 200 feet in the air in Leilani Estates, near Pahoa, Hawaii, May 5, 2018. More than two dozen homes have been destroyed since the Kilauea volcano began erupting last week, officials said on Sunday, as at least 10 fissures emerged, spewing lava into residential neighborhoods on the eastern edge of the island of Hawaii. (U.S. Geological Survey via The New York Times)

On April 30, the floor of a crater on top of the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island collapsed, sending its pool of lava back underground and causing a series of small earthquakes. Scientists predicted the magma would travel elsewhere and push its way back to the surface somewhere in the East Rift Zone.

They were correct.

An increase in volcanic activity has forced over a dozen vents to open in the Leilani Estates subdivision, bringing with it spewing lava, historic earthquakes and toxic gas that has rendered parts of the once-serene residential area unrecognizable.

Officials say more outbreaks are likely to occur along the East Rift Zone, and it's unclear so far how long they will continue or where new fissures might form.

Read more:

'Shell-shocked' in Hawaii: How lava overran a neighborhood

Erupting Hawaii volcano could next spew 10-ton boulders from its summit, scientists say

'We don't know what tomorrow may bring': Hawaiians' risk turns to painful reality

'Pele's the boss': Hawaiians ride out uncertainty as lava devours more Big Island homes

What's happening inside Kilauea, the world's longest-erupting volcano

'Go now,' Big Island residents warned as lava destroys more homes