Hawaii volcano eruption latest: Families flee as rivers of lava from Mount Kilauea engulf entire neighbourhoods

'Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice', residents told

People in Hawaii forced to flee a volcanic eruption that has destroyed dozens of homes and other buildings have taken advantage of a brief respite in its activity to rescue their pets and belongings.

Rivers of lava from Kilauea have already accounted for entire neighbourhoods, and those of the 1,700 evacuees from the Leilani Estates neighbourhood on Big Island who returned home during the lull on Sunday and Monday to retrieve animals, medication and important possessions were warned to be prepared to flee at any moment.

Residents of a second area, Lanipuna Gardens, were barred from returning home on Monday due to the risk of deadly sulphur dioxide gas.

Visitors were advised to avoid the area by officials, which said: "Please, the residents of Leilani need our help.

"This is not the time for sightseeing. You can help tremendously by staying out of the area."

Since Kilauea began exploding on Thursday, 12 volcanic vents have opened, sending large flows of lava into nearby residential areas.

Lava has spread around 387,500 square feet (36,000 square meters) around the most active fissure, though the rate of movement is slow.

There was no indication when the lava might stop or how far it might spread.

So far, no deaths or major injuries have been reported.

On Monday, lava was not flowing from any of the vents, officials said.

On Friday, the island was rocked by a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake, the strongest tremor since 1975.

More earthquakes and eruptions have been forecast, and could potentially last "for weeks or months," according to scientists.

A massive flow of lava consumes houses in Leilani Estates (EPA/BRUCE OMORI / PARADISE HELICOPTERS) (EPA/PARADISE HELICOPTERS)

Kilauea, which is one of the world's most active volcanoes, has been constantly erupting for the last 35 years.

It predominantly blows off basaltic lava which flows into the ocean, but occasionally unleashes more explosive and damaging eruptions.