Hawaii volcano: Worried residents facing new TERRIFYING threat after HUGE eruption
THE HAWAII volcano has created a new hazard for worried locals as lava flows from Kilauea’s volcanic eruption could produce clouds of acid fumes steam and glass-like particles as they reach the Pacific, an expert has warned.
By THOMAS HUNT
Express.co.uk
Mon, May 21, 2018
Dr Jessica Johnson, a volcanologist, explained how the “very toxic” reaction takes place during the Hawaii volcano eruption.
She said: “Laze is a mashup of the two words lava and haze, so it is like smog which is smoke and fog.
“Laze is created through a chemical reaction when lava meets the ocean so because the ocean is salt water there is a chemical reaction and hydrochloric acid is created.
“There can be some small explosions which push tiny droplets of hydrochloric acid into the air and it also makes tiny little fragments of volcanic glass which can be caught up in the hot temperatures.
“Laze is very toxic it can be very hot and it is very unpredictable so far as how much is produced and when it is produced.”
The expert then had advice for locals trying to keep safe during the ongoing volcano situation.
Dr Johnson continued: “They can keep an eye on the weather forecast to see which way the wind is blowing and they can stay inside when laze is around.
“Be informed by the civil defence because if areas have it particularly badly there will be some temporary evacuations.”
Civil defence notices cautioned motorists, boaters and beachgoers to beware of caustic plumes of “laze” formed from two streams of hot lava pouring into the sea after cutting across Highway 137 on the south coast of Hawaii’s Big Island late on Saturday and early Sunday.
The bulletins also warned that reports of toxic sulphur dioxide gas being vented from various points around the volcano had tripled, urging residents to “take action necessary to limit further exposure.”
Laze can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees Celsius), reacts with sea water, Hawaii County Civil Defence said in a statement.
The agency said: “Be aware of the laze hazard and stay away from any ocean plume.”
The Rest…HERE
