The latest eruption at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has a new working name.
Volcanologists on Tuesday said they are calling it the Kamoamoa Fissure Eruption after the area it is located in near Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Kamoamoa, which cracked open on Saturday, is continuing to spew out loads of lava and gases. Meanwhile, visitors are flocking to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park hoping to catch a glimpse of the 1,093°C -glowing, red-orange lava that is shooting 20m high. However, visitors are being kept far away from the isolated, remote east zone rift where the eruption is taking place.
The Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory said “vigorous spattering” is occurring from at least two locations along the new vent located between Pu’u ‘O’o and Napau craters.
Kilauea has been in constant eruption since Jan. 3, 1983. The latest eruption is in the same area of the east rift.
Park ranger Mardie Lane said 2.5 million cubic meters of lava is gushing out of Kamoamoa daily, about five times the amount that was previously coming of the east rift zone. So far, the lava has blanketed about 50 hectares.
About 10,000 tonnes of sulfur dioxide is being emitted daily from the east rift zone eruptions, far higher than usual levels.
No major problems have been reported because of the emissions, since the southerly trade winds are blowing the gases out to sea.
“We’re OK for now. I think we would have a concern if there was a wind shift,” Lane said.
If the wind blows in the opposite direction, other communities could experience volcanic smog, or so-called “vog,” that could be problematic for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
The National Park Service has closed the Chain of Craters Road and all east rift and coastal trails, along with Kulanaokuaiki Campground, until further notice. However, the park’s most popular overlooks and summit trails remain open.
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