Lava From Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Creates Toxic Cloud
White plumes of acid and extremely fine shards of glass are billowing into the sky surrounding Hawaii as lava from Kilauea volcano is reaching the ocean. The steam clouds coming from where the lava meets the ocean contain tiny shards of glass and hydrochloric acid, and can cause breathing issues and irritate skin and eyes. Scientists have said the acid is as corrosive as diluted battery acid, and the fine glass shards may feel like being sprinkled with glitter.
Kilauea started erupting more than two weeks ago, and currently shows no signs of stopping. More recently fissures have opened in the ground in residential neighborhoods spewing lava out that’s slowly making its way towards the coast. The rate of sulphur dioxide emerging from the fissures has tripled, while two explosive eruptions have caused clouds of ash reaching 30,000 feet above the summit.
Joseph Kekedi lives approximately 5 kilometers downhill from where lava is dropping into the ocean, and is lucky it didn’t head towards him. Kekedi said “here’s nature reminding us again who’s boss.”, adding that residents can’t do much apart from staying informed.
More than 20 vents are open now, including four that have merged into a massive fissure. This larger fissure has been gushing lava into the sky and a river of molten rock has been making its way towards the ocean, at approximately 900 feet per hour. Tourism officials have said that despite all of the volcanic activity in the area, the Big Island remains open for business.
