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Hazards associated with the Kamokuna ocean entry an ongoing concern

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory November 9, 2016

People who venture too close to KILAUEA Volcano's Kamokuna ocean entry—by land or by sea—are at risk from multiple hazards associated with lava flowing into the sea.

 

Hazards associated with the Kamokuna ocean entry an ongoing concern...
The white plume formed by the interaction of lava and seawater is a corrosive mixture of super-heated steam, hydrochloric acid, and tiny particles of volcanic glass, all of which should be avoided. Lava deltas (new land formed at the ocean entry) can collapse without warning. Should the lava delta shown here collapse, fragments of molten lava and blocks of hot rock would be thrown both inland and seaward, potentially impacting people on the cliff above the ocean entry and in the boat in front of the delta.

 

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