A volcano eruption in Hawaii has scarred forests and forced residents to evacuate - here are the dramatic images

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A volcano eruption in Hawaii has scarred forests and forced residents to evacuate - here are the dramatic images

Kilauea

Kevan Kamibayashi/U.S. Geological Survey via AP

In this photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, red ash rises from the Puu Oo vent on Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck the Big Island, Thursday, May 3, 2018 in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

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The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island erupted Thursday, scarring forests and sending plumes of ash thousands of feet into the sky.

Dramatic photos from the US Geological Survey show lava pouring into residential neighborhoods around a fissure that opened during the eruption. Luckily, no injuries have been reported and residents had plenty of advance warning about the eruption, so many evacuated.

While the eruption has now subsided, check out some of the stunning photos below.

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The eruption occurred in the Leilani Estates subdivision of Hawaii's Puna district. The neighborhood is located within Kilauea's East Rift Zone.

The eruption occurred in the Leilani Estates subdivision of Hawaii's Puna district. The neighborhood is located within Kilauea's East Rift Zone.

A small fissure opened up around 5:00 p.m., spewing lava and gas into the neighborhood and onto roads.

A small fissure opened up around 5:00 p.m., spewing lava and gas into the neighborhood and onto roads.
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The fissure remained active for over an hour, scarring forests and forcing some residents to evacuate.

The fissure remained active for over an hour, scarring forests and forcing some residents to evacuate.

Pictured here is the Pu'u O'o vent on Kilauea. Smoke and ash started rising from that vent in the hours leading up to the eruption.

Pictured here is the Pu'u O'o vent on Kilauea. Smoke and ash started rising from that vent in the hours leading up to the eruption.
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A magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck the area earlier this week — a clue that an eruption could be coming.

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake struck the area earlier this week — a clue that an eruption could be coming.

That earthquake caused the Pu'u O'o vent to collapse, which led lava to flow underground downslope, toward the area where the eruption later occurred in Leilani Estates.

That earthquake caused the Pu'u O'o vent to collapse, which led lava to flow underground downslope, toward the area where the eruption later occurred in Leilani Estates.
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Here's an aerial view of the collapsed crater, with smoke and ash rising from the middle.

Here's an aerial view of the collapsed crater, with smoke and ash rising from the middle.

Another fissure can be seen trailing down the flank of the Pu'u O'o vent, where the line of white steam rises.

Another fissure can be seen trailing down the flank of the Pu'u O'o vent, where the line of white steam rises.
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