Lava flow spews gas and glass
Acid fumes and deadly particles produced when it hits the ocean
PAHOA ( Hawaii): Hawaii residents coping with Kilauea’s volcanic eruption faced a potentially deadly new hazard as authorities warned that lava flows reaching the Pacific Ocean could produce noxious clouds of acid fumes, steam and tiny, glass-like particles.
The civil defence notices cautioned motorists, boaters and beachgoers to beware of caustic plumes of “laze” formed from two streams of hot lava pouring into the sea after cutting across Highway 137 on the south coast of Hawaii’s Big Island late on Saturday and early Sunday.
The bulletins also warned that reports of toxic sulphur dioxide gas being vented from various points around the volcano had tripled, urging residents to “take action necessary to limit further exposure.”
Laze – a term combining the words “lava” and haze” – is a mix of hydrochloric acid fumes, steam and fine volcanic glass specks created when erupting lava, which can
1,093° reach C, reacts with sea water, Hawaii County Civil Defense said in a statement.
“Be aware of the laze hazard and stay away from any ocean plume,” the agency said, warning that
potential hazards include lung damage, as well as eye and skin irritation.
Under Sunday’s conditions, with strong winds and copious amounts of lava hitting the ocean, the laze plumes could extend as far as 24km, mostly along the coast and offshore, though the hazard would diminish the farther out to sea it blows, according to USGS geologist Janet Babb.