Toxic gas, lava threat to Hawaii

Pahoa

Residents on the Big Island of Hawaii were alerted to rising levels of toxic gas from lava-oozing fissures, and geologists warned that new areas east of the erupting Kilauea volcano may be at risk of molten rock bursting from the ground.

Hawaii County authorities sent a text message to residents warning them of a wind change that would bring rising levels of sulfur dioxide gas, which can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities.

“It’s just horrible. You can’t breathe in there,” said evacuated resident Robynn Stagg, 58, who drove through the thick, orange haze earlier this week.

Hawaii’s governor has warned that mass evacuations may be required as more fissures open in the ground and spew lava and gas into semi-rural residential areas.

During a meeting with community members, an official with the US Geological Survey’s Hawaii Volcano Observatory said there has been “quite a bit” of ground cracking and they were releasing steam.

“Because the lava intrusion is still active and earthquakes are still occurring, we still think there’s a decent chance of new eruptive activity at the surface,” Steven Brantley said.

Authorities completed the removal of highly flammable chemicals from a nearby geothermal power plant that was in the path of creeping lava.