ERRUPTION OF THE KILAUE VOLCANO


Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and one of Hawaii's five, the largest in the archipelago.

The lava flows into the ocean near Pahoaet causing acid fumes.

According to Hawaii authorities, the arrival in the Pacific Ocean of lava from Kilauea volcano, erupted May 3, causes a dangerous chemical phenomenon.

Two lava flows "hit the ocean on the southeast coast of Puna" on the Big Island of Hawaii, according to a statement released Sunday by the US Institute of Geological Survey (USGS).

An open crack in the ground, however, "diverted the lava [...] in underground cavities , " says the USGS release.

The meeting of incandescent lava and water produces acid fumes, a phenomenon referred to in English as laze, a word formed from lava (lava) and haze (fog).

"The plume is an irritating mixture of hydrochloric acid (HCl), steam and small particles of volcanic glass, according to the USGS. This hot, corrosive gaseous mixture caused two deaths in the immediate vicinity of the coastal steam entry point and small volcanic glass particles, according to the USGS. This hot, corrosive gaseous mixture caused two deaths in the immediate vicinity of the coastal entry point in 2000, when the sea hit recent and active lava flows. "

Due to moderate winds, leeward areas "may experiment with various levels of vog [volcanic smog]" , volcanic fog created by the reaction of emissions to oxygen, moisture, dust, and sunlight , according to the USGS.

Its eruption on May 3 has already forced some 2,000 people to evacuate their homes.

Scientists believe that volcanic activity is perhaps heralding a major eruption similar to that of the mid-1920s.

Carl Delsey for DayNewsWorld