Lava Selfies: Arrests Made as Tourists Brave Kilauea Volcano

Tourists' attempts to take selfies with Kilauea's lava have resulted in multiple arrests on Hawaii's Big Island.

Around 40 people — including tourists and locals — have been arrested since the volcano's May 3 eruption while trying to take selfies and photographs, the Department of Land and Natural Resources told Hawaii News Now. Citations were given for loitering, trespassing, and entering restricted zones off limits due to gas emissions. Violators could face fines up to $5,000 or possible jail time.

Twelve arrests were made over the last 10 days as a new 100-foot-wide fissure spewed lava.

The arrests were made at Hawaiian parks such as Mackenzie State Recreational Area, Lava Tree State Park, and Paakikii.

Lava has been oozing from Kilauea at speeds of 17 mph, about three times faster than the average person running, according to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. It's the most the area has seen since 1955 during the last major eruption.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige stated stronger enforcement of new guidelines is necessary “as a result of the failure of the public to comply with instructions and orders issued by officials,” SFGate reported.

At the end of May, lava was moving fast enough to cover about six football field in an hour.

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