Lava flow intensifies from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano

The flow of lava intensified Sunday from eruptions at Hawaii Island’s Kilauea volcano, and molten rock was pouring from fissures that opened overnight, farther from the original eruptions.

At least nine homes have been destroyed, Hawaii County officials said.

Toxic sulfur dioxide gas spewing near the fissures was at lethal concentrations, said U.S. Geological Survey volcano scientist Wendy Stovall. Lava fountains emerging from the cracks in the ground produced even more gas than previously observed.

Residents have been evacuated from two remote, rural neighborhoods on the eastern edge of Hawaii Island where the lava is emerging from the fissures. An estimated 1,800 people live in the affected area, and many have sought housing in shelters, with friends or on surrounding islands.

“Scientists on the ground are reporting that lava flows are traveling through the forest, power lines are coming down, and a few explosions have been heard _ likely from propane tanks or methane explosions,” Stovall said.

As lava inundates the heavily forested area, organic matter burns and releases methane. “That methane gas can get trapped in pockets beneath lava flows or underground, and explode out violently, throwing rocks and debris in every direction,” Stovall said.

– Appeal-democrat news services