Hawaiian officials declared molten lava from Kilauea volcano has been flowing at an unprecedented rate and an evacuation of residents will soon be carried out. 

Residents near the volcano's flow path were ordered to finish all evacuation preparations by Tuesday although the schedule can also be moved depending on the lava flow rate. The Red Cross will also provide shelters for evacuees.

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By Sunday, the lava flow on Big Island moved a hundred yards since Saturday morning at a steady rate of 10 to 15 yards every hour.

The Kilauea volcano on Big Island has been erupting non-stop since 1983. Its lava flow has mostly travelled south but in the last two years, has flowed towards the northeast.

Lava began threatening Pahoa residents in June. It's currently seeping through the town speeding up and then slowly snaking its way. Right now, the flow has already covered most of a Buddhist cemetery.

It's enveloped graves in the rural region of Puna, around half a mile from the main Pahoa Village Road.

According to Darryl Oliveira, director of civil defense for Hawaii County, the house nearest the lava flow is about 300 yards away from the flow front. Residents of that house said tat the flow front is already visible from their balcony and that they're ready for evacuation.

Around 50 to 60 homes and buildings are estimated to be affected by the flow front, said Oliveira. Authorities have already gone door to door to warn residents.

According to Janet Babb, a geologist for the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, methane gas explosions have been observed from the lava flow. This is caused by the decomposition of vegetation after it has been eaten up by the flow.

Gas caused by decomposition can travel under the surface of the lava and accumulate in pockets, triggering powerful explosions.

TagsHawaii Lava Flow Threatens Homes, Triggers Methane Gas Explosions, US, kilauea volcano, pahoa hawaii lava flow evacuation