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Park rangers have summoned dozens of people who have gathered at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to witness an ongoing eruption of the Kilauea volcano.
Rangers said those named had ventured into dangerous areas to take photos and videos of the eruption of the volcano that had created a lava lake in its crater that was 169 meters deep Thursday.
“All it takes is a slight change in wind direction and these criminals could inhale a fatal dose of volcanic gas,” said Chief Ranger Jack Corrao.
“A misstep or the edge of a cliff that crumbles and it could sink into the vast pit of molten rock or into the crater floor.
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“We want to keep the park open so that everyone can safely experience this beautiful new eruption, but when visitors enter enclosed areas, rangers need to focus on these few people. This puts our staff in dangerous situations. “
The eruption was contained in an area of the park that has been closed since 2007, and where there are dangerous levels of volcanic gas, rockslides, explosions and volcanic glass particles, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported.
M. Patrick / AP
The eruption is contained in an area of the park that has been closed since 2007, and where there are dangerous levels of volcanic gas, rockslides, explosions and volcanic glass particles.
Fines for violating national park rules start at $ 150 (NZ $ 210), said Jessica Ferracane, a spokeswoman for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Fines increase after multiple infractions and can lead to expulsion from the park.
Ferracane had told The Associated Press that a crowd of cars had lined up at the park entrance to glimpse the eruption, which began on December 20.
A helicopter travel company, Paradise Helicopters, reported a substantial increase in bookings as a result of the eruption and after months of limited business due to the coronavirus pandemic.
US Geological Survey / AP
It is the first time the Hawaii volcano has erupted since 2018.
The company had booked all its planes and pilots on Monday (NZT Tuesday) and flew nine flights, a number not seen since the pandemic began. Before March, Paradise Helicopters flew up to 40 flights a day, said Bronsten Kossow, the company’s operations manager.
It is the first time the Hawaii volcano has erupted since 2018. The two years of relative silence came after more than three decades of constant eruption between 1983 and 2018. Approximately 700 homes were destroyed during an eruption in 2018.
