Dec 21 (Reuters) - The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's BigIsland erupted on Sunday night, according to an advisory fromthe United States Geological Survey, followed by an earthquakethat struck at the volcano's south flank.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) recorded an earthquakeof magnitude 4.4 located beneath K?lauea Volcano's south flankat 10:36 pm local time, according to the advisory https://on.doi.gov/2LXAPQr.

The eruption was reported at the Halemaumau Crater of theKilauea Volcano, the Hawaii county Civil Defense Agency said ina tweet https://bit.ly/3awLH1G early on Monday, requestingresidents to stay indoors.

"Trade winds will push any embedded ash toward theSouthwest. Fallout is likely in the Kau District in Wood Valley,Pahala, Naalehu and Ocean View," the tweet added.

The eruption started with multiple fissures opening on thewalls of Halemaumau crater, USGS said.

A picture from the USGS showed Kilauea's summit illuminatedby the hot lava with a plume of steam and gas bursting out ofthe volcano.

(Reporting by Aishwarya Nair and Derek Francis in Bengaluru,Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) ((Aishwarya.Nair@thomsonreuters.com; +91-8067494421;))