A large breakout of lava erupted from a volcano on Hawaii's Big Island on 27 August, and has flowed into the surrounding forest, the US Geological Survey said. It is not expected to pose a threat to surrounding communities.

The thick stream of lava flowed from the east side of the Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and was still spreading, the US Geological Survey said in a daily update.

A witness said the lava had moved about half a mile in less than 24 hours, and was heading towards the subdivision of Eden Roc, on the eastern side of the island and home to approximately 450 people.

In 2014, molten rock let loose in the Eastern Rift Zone threatening residents in the town of Pahoa, on the eastern edge of the Big Island. The slow moving trickles of magma destroyed a home and threatened to cut off a main highway before stalling.

Scientists said the new flow, one of several breakouts from the Eastern Rift Zone was not expected to threaten populated areas. A magnitude 3.8 earthquake also occurred early on 27 August beneath the volcano's south flank, but the federal agency said there were lows levels of seismicity.

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