The Hawaiian volcano, Kilauea, is still erupting and lava is now blocking escape routes. More eruptions are still expected as toxic gas plumes envelop parts of the island.
People in Hawaii are facing new warnings over toxic fumes produced when molten rock flows into the ocean, as the state continues to battle eruptions from the Kilauea volcano. Officials say two lava flows have reached the Pacific, creating thick hazardous clouds known as “laze.”
The clouds contain hydrochloric acid and glass particles which can cause irritation and breathing difficulties, reported the BBC. The US Geological Survey describes laze as a “hot, corrosive, gas mixture.” When molten lava hits seawater, the chemical reaction can create “hazy and noxious conditions”, the USGS said in a statement. Officials are warning people to stay away from areas where lava meets the ocean, as laze can cause lung, eye and skin irritation. “This hot, corrosive gas mixture caused two deaths immediately adjacent to the coastal entry point in 2000 when seawater washed across recent and active lava flows,” the HVO said.
But the “laze” or toxic gas plumes aren’t the only problems the volcano has caused. The lava flows have also blocked escape routes. The threat from laze began after lava crossed Highway 137 late Saturday night and entered the Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. This lava flow has also cut off parts of the road, a critical access point, which affects thousands of residents, reported CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now.
Lava bombs are also still a problem and have caused one serious injury so far. Over the weekend, a man sitting on his porch was hit in the leg by a lava bomb, leaving him seriously hurt, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno. His leg was shattered at the point of impact. It’s the first serious injury reported since the volcano began erupting May 3. “I heard the injury was quite bad,” Magno told CNN affiliate KHON Saturday.
Flaming rivers of molten rock have already destroyed at least 40 structures. Additionally, the volcano has caused almost two dozen fissures to crack the Earth’s surface open purging fountains of lava and dangerous sulfur dioxide. The USGS said the latest lava effusion near Leilani Estates is a “major eruption.”
At the summit, a large explosion happened at around midnight on Friday night into Saturday, sending a plume of volcanic gas some 10,000ft (2 miles; 3km) into the air. Geologists are warning that the behavior of the lava flows remains unpredictable, but as of now, air travel has not been impacted. But with warnings of additional eruptions, the situation could go from horrible to much worse.
Who lives in volcanic prone areas?
Democrats that’s who goes to prove just how stupid these people are.
What is not being mentioned is,
that this could go on for years.
The lava going into the ocean
is “new”. Lava dated to 1955 is what
has caused most damage thus far.
Called Aha it does not move very fast.
This new lava(Pahoehoe) moves really fast.
I think I’ll wait
a few weeks before I wonder over
to check it out.
73 degrees and light rain today.
Not that I encourage tourism, but most things
are pretty normal, although my usual
spots to take friends, Halemaumau,Puu’oo
(Kiluea), and Lava trees park are closed.
The mainland floods were probably far worse
and other natural disasters as they affect
many more people. But a Volcano sticks around longer
and is REALLY impressive.
I’ve seen it all.
True. Nothing is more entertaining than watching other people’s lives being ruined. Awesome
Rellik
Have seen lots of volcanic activity in my younger years,
And it is extremely awesome and mezmerizing. Truly something to see for those of you who have never seen an eruption.
Nail.
No doubt about that plus the sound!
Hey,
Rellik.
Why
don’t
you
write
like
this.
You
could
use
up
even
more
space
needlessly,
needlessly
and
pointlessly.
Point taken.
You can’t edit mistakes here so I tend to use the enter key a lot but I can run on as much as you want. All my computers are at least 17 inch so if you are on a 5 inch smart phone I can appreciate your problem. I was just trying to communicate about living near a volcano, if you think that is a waste of your time, I apologize. As an aside, information from this site has saved me thousands of dollars.
so,
I hit
enter
a lot!q
w
e
r
t
y
u
i
o
p
good to hear from someone close to the action, be safe.
MAGA and Aloha, lol
Yawn.
Rellik, I don’t think it’s a waste of time posting about a volcano. Hell, I’m just glad to see you and Nailbanger are surviving all that BS over there. BTW, certain information from this site has been a great help to me also and saved me a lot of money. Would be nice if we could dump all of our libturds into that volcano.
DB,
Right now you can’t even get close to it without
dying.
I have all the right respiratory equipment
and I’m not going to try.
I remember watching Halemaumau fountaining from the bar in the Volcanohouse with my folks when i was a kid, was in the late 60s i think, that place had the best food back in the day, used to be a great place to stay too, spent many nights sitting in front of the giant fireplace in there.
Reliik,you post any damn way you want. I’m not blowing up your rear when I say I worry about you and Nail and am most relieved when I come here and see you and Nail still posting.
Am I supposed to feel sorry for the fools who didn’t evacuate before the escape routes were cut off?
“Welcome to Pompeii”