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NEW LAVA FISSURES, ground deformation and abundant volcanic gases indicate eruptions on the eastern flank of Kilauea volcano are likely to continue in Hawaii.
Two new fissures opened yesterday, bringing the total number of lava outbreaks in and around Leilani Estates to 17.
The volcano has been oozing lava and burping steam since last week and scientists have warned that it may be gearing up for a huge eruption.
Scientists say lava levels in the crater are going down, meaning it might be clogging and building up for a mighty blast.
Movement of the molten rock opened space for lava at the summit to drain underground, reducing the height of a lava lake at the summit, US Geological Survey geophysicist Ingrid Johanson told the Los Angeles Times.
But as the lava lake levels fall below the groundwater table, water can start interacting with the magma, heating it up and creating steam, said USGS scientist Donald Swanson.
And if rocks fall from the walls surrounding the magma in the volcano, the rocks can form a dam.
And then, if the steam builds pressure, “it can eventually burst out in an explosion,” Swanson said.
Scientists estimate that the lava could interact with the groundwater by the middle of this month.
Mathew Devlen, an American film maker visiting Hawaii as a tourist, said he was awed by it all.
“I just think the power of this is just an amazing thing to witness. And what the people here are going through is tragic,” he told AFP.
I really admire them on how they deal with it, because they know that this is here for them and they respect their island and they’re dealing with it in a way I’ve never seen anyone else deal with.
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanos in the world and one of five on the island.
A magnitude 5 earthquake under its south flank preceded an initial eruption last week and several severe aftershocks followed.
A quake last Friday was measured at magnitude 6.9, the most powerful to hit the islands since 1975.
No one has died, but the flowing lava has destroyed dozens of structures in an area called Leilani Estates.
Hundreds of people have been forced to evacuate their homes because of the lava and the threat of toxic fumes.
© – AFP 2018 with reporting by Associated Press
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and we complain about the weather……
I know some people online that live very near to it, 9 miles away. They were saying as the earth cracks it gives off a deadly toxic sulfur gas. Never knew about that.
@Jonathan Power: Google Pompeii……
@Kerry Blake: yes I was reading about it the other day I’d forgotten that story from school. It’s amazing how quickly it can all happen.
@Jonathan Power: someone needs to find a sacrificial virgin fast. I heard there was one in Leitrim a few years back.
So chilling to see lava actually moving towards cars and buildings like that, scary stuff, we’re so lucky over here
@Dublin Gooner: Trump call it FAKE Lava lol.
Would it help if we’d sacrifice the big orange one to the Hawaiian volcano goddess?
@Larissa Caroline Nikolaus: they don’t want him either
@Larissa Caroline Nikolaus: Germans really don’t know how to make jokes.
@Larissa Caroline Nikolaus: I’d be willing to risk it!!
If they need a virgin to sacrifice I’ll happily throw a few bob in a hat to send Rónán Mullen over…
@Vigo The Carpathian: on the other hand, that may upset the volcano even more
@Vigo The Carpathian: the poor volcano! Still worth a try! Where do I donate?
Weird for me to watch the videos as I was there a few years ago. We hiked around the crater rim. It was awesome, but at the same time I felt uneasy……all that potential danger under my feet. Saddens me to see all the destruction, but Mother Nature doesn’t take us mortals into consideration.
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