Hawaii volcano eruption LATEST: ‘Lavabergs’ spotted as lava continues to pour into ocean
LAVA flows from the eruption of Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island have created floating ‘lavabergs’, after newly formed volcanic rock broke off and started to float in the ocean.
By MATTHEW ROBINSON
Express.co.uk
Thu, Jun 21, 2018
Tourists visiting the affected region by boat recorded videos of molten rock floating in the ocean after they became detached from the solidified lava flow.
Kilauea’s fissure 8 is still producing large amounts of lava, and fast-moving flows are travelling from their source directly into the ocean.
Geology field crews on location on June 19 determined the channel was moving at speeds of 17mph, or 7.7 metres per second.
Commenting on the continuing lava flows, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said: “Fissure 8 fountains continue to feed lava into the well-established channel that flows to the ocean at Kapoho.
“The flow front at the coast is about 1.5 miles across, but lava pours into the ocean at a single entry, creating a large laze plume.
“The ocean entry is a hazardous area. Venturing too close to an ocean entry on land or the ocean exposes you to flying debris from a sudden explosive interaction between lava and water.”
Laze is produced when hot lava enters seawater, producing a plume of dangerous hydrochloric acid and volcanic glass particles.
The Hawaii County Civil Defence Agency commented on the danger, stating: “Lava is entering the ocean at Kapoho Bay and producing a large laze plume.
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