Lava explodes in ocean

– Lava from Hawaii’s erupting Kilauea volcano is exploding as it pours into the ocean, shooting rock fragments that are a danger to boaters. Inland, where molten rock is burning through jungle, methane explosions are hurling boulders while toxic gas is reaching some of the highest levels seen in recent times.

These were new risks geologists warned of on Tuesday as Kilauea’s 19-day eruption showed no sign of easing, with repeated explosions at its summit and fountains of lava up to 50m from giant cracks or fissures on its flank.

Lava edged towards a geothermal power plant on Tuesday after destroying an old warehouse near the facility, County of Hawaii Civil Defence said.

Workers at the closed Puna Geothermal Venture, which provided around 25% of electricity on Hawaii’s Big Island, worked to cap the last of three pressurised wells to reduce the risk of an uncontrolled release of toxic gases should they be inundated by lava.

The race at the site marked the latest challenge facing authorities during what geologists call an unprecedented, simultaneous eruption at Kilauea’s summit and from giant fissures 40km down its eastern side.

“Fissures near Puna Geothermal Venture are active and producing lava slowly flowing onto the property,” Civil Defence said. “This activity has destroyed the former Hawaii Geothermal Project site,” it said referring to the warehouse.

An explosive eruption at the Kilauea summit at sent ash to a height of 2 438m over Hawaii’s Big Island, civil defence said. Communities southwest of the summit were dusted with ash, said National Weather Service meteorologist John Bravender.

On the volcano’s east flank, 24 fissures were producing 15 000 tons a day of toxic sulfur dioxide. Puna district’s geothermal plant has been closed since lava began erupting on May 3 through new fissures near Pahoa. About 47 homes and buildings have been destroyed. –