Before-and-after photos show the destruction from the ongoing volcanic eruptions in Hawaii

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Before-and-after photos show the destruction from the ongoing volcanic eruptions in Hawaii

kilauea before and after

DigitalGlobe; Business Insider/Jeremy Berke

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The ongoing volcanic eruptions on Hawaii's Big Island have caused severe damage to residential neighborhoods surrounding the Kilauea volcano.

The eruptions are showing no signs of slowing down. On Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a rare "red alert" warning, which means a major eruption is imminent and that the ash clouds emitted from the volcano can affect air traffic.

The volcano continues to belch noxious fumes, like sulfur dioxide, which can make breathing difficult for children and the elderly. Geologists are also warning that the eruption may enter a more violent stage, spewing lava and hurtling boulders hundreds of feet in the air.

Neighborhoods in the volcano's vicinity have been hit particularly hard by the eruption, and over 1,000 people have evacuated.

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DigitalGlobe, a technology firm that operates a network of private satellites, provided Business Insider with a series of satellite images showing the damage from the eruptions. Below, photos of the affected neighborhoods from 2017 are juxtaposed with images taken this week of the same area.

Here are the before-after-photos of the damage:

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The Leilani Estates neighborhood in Kilauea's East Rift Zone has sustained the worst damage from the eruption. The area is pictured here on May 24 of last year.

The Leilani Estates neighborhood in Kilauea's East Rift Zone has sustained the worst damage from the eruption. The area is pictured here on May 24 of last year.

In Leilani Estates and surrounding neighborhoods today, lava is spewing from 20 fissures, or cracks in the ground. It has burned houses, vehicles, and infrastructure.

In Leilani Estates and surrounding neighborhoods today, lava is spewing from 20 fissures, or cracks in the ground. It has burned houses, vehicles, and infrastructure.
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Leilani Estates is a populous subdivision with almost 2,000 residents. Here's another view of it in 2017.

Leilani Estates is a populous subdivision with almost 2,000 residents. Here's another view of it in 2017.

In parts of that neighborhood today, lava is piled up over 40 feet thick.

In parts of that neighborhood today, lava is piled up over 40 feet thick.
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Like much of Hawaii's Big Island, the Leilani Estates neighborhood was formerly lush and verdant.

Like much of Hawaii's Big Island, the Leilani Estates neighborhood was formerly lush and verdant.

But many parts of the neighborhood now look brown due to burning and ash. Here's a view of an active fissure on a property in Leilani Estates.

But many parts of the neighborhood now look brown due to burning and ash. Here's a view of an active fissure on a property in Leilani Estates.
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Over 1,000 residents are still unable to occupy their homes. Geologists expect the eruption to continue and warn that it may become more violent in coming days, spewing more ash and lava into residential neighborhoods.

Over 1,000 residents are still unable to occupy their homes. Geologists expect the eruption to continue and warn that it may become more violent in coming days, spewing more ash and lava into residential neighborhoods.
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