Hawaii braces for POISONOUS gas explosions as lava bursts out of cracks near power plant
HAWAII has scrambled to remove thousands of gallons of flammable liquid from a geothermal plant as a river of molten lava from the erupting Kilauea volcano inches towards it.
By Joy Basu
DailyStar.co.uk
27th May 2018
Locals fear the molten lava could cause explosive emissions of extremely hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas, known for its rotten egg smell.
Officials said there was no test for what could occur if lava made contact with Puna Geothermal Venture’s plant’s 11 wells as such a situation has never arisen anywhere in the world before.
Authorities have so far removed 60,000 gallons of flammable liquid and deactivated the wells, which tap into steam and gases deep within the Earth’s core.
Hawaii Governor David Ige said efforts to plug the wells have been successful.
The lava has already crossed into the property of the plant moving at a speed of 50 feet per hour, the US Geological Survey said.
Meanwhile, hot lava from the volcano has also flowed 40 kilometres underground and has burst out of at least two dozen giant cracks near the plant.
Spokeswoman for the County of Hawaii Janet Snyder said: “The flow is widening and advancing.”
US Geological Survey geologist Wendy Stovall added: “I don’t have any estimate on how long it will take to get there (wells).”
The plant has previously been slammed by residents who complained of health hazards from emissions at the site.
The PGV has also been the target of lawsuits challenging its location – on the flank of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
The Israeli-owned 38 megawatt plant currently provides 25 per cent of the country’s electricity.
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