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Kilauea volcano destroys dozens of homes in Hawaii

Aerial footage shows spread of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano

The eruption of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, USA, has destroyed 26 homes and is threatening hundreds more.

Nearly 2,000 people have so far been evacuated. Some residents were allowed home to rescue pets, but authorities said it was not safe to stay.

New cracks in the ground - called volcanic fissures - opened overnight on Sunday in the Leilani Estates area, where lava leapt up to 70 metres into the air.

The island was hit by a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake on Friday.

Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has been in constant eruption for 35 years.

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, lava erupts from a new fissure from Luana Street after the eruption of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano on May 5, 2018 in the Leilani Estates subdivision near Pahoa, Hawaii.Getty Images

The governor of Hawaii declared a local state of emergency after the volcanic eruption

The tenth fissure eruption occurs, threatening homes at the end of Pomaikai St near Pahoa, Hawaii, USA, 06 May 2018.EPA

Authorities say the fire has destroyed 26 homes on the island and is threatening hundreds more

Lava consumes a home, as volcanic activity continues on Kilauea"s east rift zone, within the Leilani Estates subdivision, near Pahoa, Hawaii, USA, 06 May 2018.EPA

Cracks in the ground called fissures have spewed lava around homes

This image released by the US Geological Survey shows lava from a fissure slowly advancing to the northeast on Hookapu Street in Leilani Estates, Hawaii, on May 5, 2018.AFP

Ten separate fissures have torn open the Leilani Estates neighbourhood, about 40km from the volcano's crater

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, ground cracking extends across Highway 130 on May 7, 2018 in Puna, Hawaii. USGS-HVO scientists measured the width of the cracks and used a thermal camera to look for heat within the cracks, but no significant temperature difference was noted.Getty Images

A series of earthquakes have shaken Hawaii's Big Island since the eruption of the Kilauea volcano, causing massive cracks in the ground

Evacuees (L to R) Anastasia de Sousa, Nina Bermasina and Aunty Willy Kamalamalama de Sousa sit outside the emergency shelter where they are staying at the Pahoa Community Center on Hawaii"s Big Island on May 5, 2018 in Pahoa, Hawaii.Getty Images

Many are staying in emergency shelters, with no idea when they will be allowed to return home

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, a column of robust, reddish-brown ash plume occurred after a magnitude 6.9 South Flank following the eruption of Hawaii"s Kilauea volcano on May 4, 2018USGS

The volcano erupted on Friday, following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake

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