A ‘terrifying’ 6.0 magnitude earthquake has hit Hawaii raising fears that a nearby volcano could erupt.The violent earthquake struck yesterday evening close to the coastal village of Honaunau-Napoopoo, on Hawaii’s Big Island, and was felt over 150 miles away on the western island of Oahu.There have been no reported casualties or damage to infrastructure and the quake is not expected to cause a tsunami.However experts from the USGS’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) have warned that Kilauea – one of the world’s most active volcanoes – could erupt within days.The volcano, located on the Big Island, has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024.Forecast models from the HVO suggest an eruption will occur between May 24 and May 27.

Smoke has been spotted billowing from the volcano and observers reported a visible glow of lava yesterday evening.All the volcanic activity is contained within a closed area of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.Tremors from Friday’s seismic activity are expected to be felt over the coming days with a second smaller 3.2 magnitude earthquake occurring just six minutes later.Residents living in Honaunau have described their terrifying ordeal as ‘like something out of a movie’.Lacy Deniz, speaking to Hawaii News Now, said: ‘It was quite terrifying. It was very violent. Our house was literally shaking from side to side, and I think the scary part was the duration too. It lasted for quite a long time.’Ms Deniz spoke of how her mother shielded her young son from broken glass and debris as the quake struck.My son was crawling on the floor, so my mum had to stand over my son and shield him because all the glass was coming out of the cabinets and falling on the floor.So she literally was getting hit by all of our dishes and trying to protect my son,’ she said.