UK experts to study Hawaiian volcano

A team of scientists from the UK are heading to Hawaii on a ground-breaking mission to study the erupting volcano Kilauea.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) are teaming up with the US Geological Survey to set up a series of monitoring stations to record pressure in the rocks during and after eruptions.

The work can only be done while the volcano is in its current state of activity.

The results of the project will provide new insights into the eruptive behaviour of Kilauea and other volcanoes around the globe.

Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In April, magma travelled underground to the residential region of Puna, where it erupted in 24 different fissures.

The volcano has been spewing out molten rock and gas ever since.

More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and 700 buildings on Hawaii’s Big Island have been destroyed.

Last week 23 people were injured when a ‘lava bomb’ struck their tour boat.

The last time there was an eruption in this area was 1960, but officials have no idea when the current lava flows might stop.

The study is funded by the UK’S Natural Environment Research Council.