USA, Hawaii: Kīlauea Volcano Activity Gets Close to Puna Geothermal Power Plant

Seismic activity drops on Big Island, but eruption still possible (Hawaii News Now)

Possible Evacuation zone is near the Ormat 38 MW Puna Geothermal Venture power plant

Latest map of the affected area showing the location of the Puna Geothermal Venture in the Lower East Rift Zone

Although the seismic activity that was rocking Puna over the past few days has diminished since early Thursday, officials still warn residents along Kilauea's east rift zone to prepare for a possible eruption that could come with "very little warning" to evacuate.

A volcano watch has been issued after swarms of earthquakes — as many as eight to 10 temblors per hour -- rattled the Puna area. On Wednesday, there were several scares as quakes created cracks in roadways.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there have been nearly 70 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or stronger in the last 24 hours. That means that lava could still be moving beneath Puna.

It's impossible to predict where an eruption might happen, but areas that could be affected include Nanawele Estates, Leilani Estates and the coastal area of Kapoho.

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