The Big Island’s Kīlauea Volcano has been erupting nearly constantly for more than 30 years, but not since 2013 has one of its 2000-degree lava flows made contact with the Pacific – instantly creating new lands on the island’s southern shore.
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According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, a flow that extends southeast of Puʻu ʻŌʻō entered the ocean at 1:12 a.m. Tuesday.
Lava flow, which originated from Kilauea’s Puu Oo vent, has reached the Pacific Ocean on Hawaii Island early Tuesday. The flow stemming from a May 24 eruption marks the first time lava has reached the ocean along the island’s southeastern coastline since August 2013. Steam forms due to the 2,000-degree temperature of the molten rock entering the water and heating it up instantly.
“Venturing too close to an ocean entry exposes you to flying debris created by the explosive interaction between lava and water”, the U.S. Geological Survey website states.
“In addition, visitors should be careful to avoid the acidic plume that rises when the lava comes into contact with the water as the fine volcanic particles in the steam can irritate the skin, eyes and lungs”.
Ed Teixeira, Hawaii County interim Civil Defense administrator, has advised people hiking out to see the lava to a lot of water along with them. The volcano is believed to be between 300,000 and 600,000 years old and is located along the southern shore of the Hawaii Island.
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There is no way for officials to tell how long this ocean entry will last – as noted by the Star-Advertiser, the last ocean entry began in 2011 and continued on and off at different locations until 2013.
