. . . And a Volcano Was Fuming: Kilauea

Fountains of lava, smoking forests and lost homes

When Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii erupted with fiery flashes in January, Civil Defense authorities evacuated the inhabitants of Royal Gardens, a settlement in the lava's likely path. Then the temperamental fissure quieted to a seemingly safe simmer, and the 80 or so residents returned home.

But last week, as Kilauea sent a 30-ft.-high river of molten lava oozing down Queen Avenue, Royal Gardens' residents were once again on the move. The 2000° F lava finger, sometimes flowing as fast as 1 ft. per sec., buried two homes. "We were...