Hawaii volcano eruption USGS update: Kilauea volcano experiencing HYDROVOLCANIC explosions
HAWAII’S Kilauea volcano continues to devastate Big Island, with hydrovolcanic explosions now being observed. Here is all the latest.
By KATE WHITFIELD
Express.co.uk
Mon, Jul 23, 2018
The USGS thinks this may have been caused by an underwater explosion, or ‘hydroexplosion’ a result of the heating of seawater by molten lava.
These types of eruptions are not well documented, so it’s hard to tell exactly what is going on beneath the waves.
However the USGS reports that the July 16 eruption suggests lava tubes lying beneath the water at the ocean entry.
Tour boats now have to stay well clear of the area, as the USGS adds that “more explosions are possible.”
Excitingly for scientists, this activity might help us gain a better understanding of how volcanoes work.
The USGS said in its report of the event: “Kīlauea’s explosions are the best observed of any hydrovolcanic explosions—and they offer the best insight into how they form.”
The boat which saw the lava bomb strike had been trying to witness another phenomenon of the volcano: lava haze, or ‘laze’.
Laze is the resulting plume of the lava hitting the ocean, and is quite a dramatic sight.
Laze can, however, be dangerous, as its mix of hydrochloric acid fumes, steam and tiny specks of volcanic glass make a toxic combination.
Hawaii’s Kilauea has presented a whole host of hazards to residents since it turned explosive on May 3.
Of the 25 fissures which have opened since, Fissure 8 is the most active and has now formed a continuous channel snaking its way across Big Island and pooling in a ‘flow field’ at the Kapoho Bay area.
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