Hawaii volcano lava flow update: Latest map of affected area as Kilauea erupts
MOUNT Kilauea continues to erupt, pouring molten hot lava across Big Island and into the sea creating a deadly volcanic haze, while the crater erupts shooting massive plumes of ash and steam into the atmosphere. So where on the island is worst affected? Here is the latest map.
Kilauea spews lava as volcanic eruptions continue
The volcano took an even deadlier turn over the weekend, when lava from the 22 open fissures finally hit the ocean, creating a volcanic haze, or ‘laze’.
Laze is a mix of hydrochloric acid fumes, steam and tiny specks of volcanic glass. It is created when lava reacts with sea water, and can reach 1,093 degrees Celsius (2,000 degrees Fahrenheit).
The toxic fumes can be deadly, producing a deadly haze of acid fumes, steam, and tiny glass-like particles - even the tiniest wisp of laze can cause serious eye and respiratory problems. It killed two people in 2000.
Until now, the neighbourhoods which previously sat on top of the open fissures have felt the brunt of Kilauea’s wrath, with around 2,000 people having to flee their homes in the lower Pahoa area.
However, the biggest concern now is erratic wind, making it hard for officials to predict where the laze will spread.
The hope is that the laze clouds will be pushed out to sea but that remans to be seen.
The air quality index for the town of Kona, about 40 miles northwest of the volcano, is currently at ‘orange’, meaning that the elderly and those with respiratory problems could be at risk.
There is also the ever-present risk of vog - volcanic smog - a toxic sulphur dioxide gas which is vented from the active volcano.
Civil defence has warned that levels of vog have more than tripled over the weekend, adding that residents should "take action necessary to limit further exposure."
So far, there has been one serious injury caused by this activity, when a man standing on the third floor balcony of his home had his leg splattered with lava.
Mark Clawson, a friend of the victim, saw the five-pound lava bomb hit his neighbour, and reports hearing a blood-curdling scream
He said: "Most of [the lava bombs] arc high in the air, but every now and again there's one that gets shot like a rifle, more horizontal and that's what happened here.”
Expert issues warning about toxic gas from Hawaii volcano
He witnessed doctors picking hardened shards of lava out of his friends leg, but luckily the prognosis is good for the injury.
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on earth and has been in constant eruption since 1983, turning explosive on May 3.
As well as the thousands who have had to flee their homes, Kilauea has destroyed dozens of houses and other buildings, and engulfed massive expanses of land.
There is no end in sight for the volcano, with scientists warning the current activity is indicative of lava deep within the volcano fuelling further eruptions.