Culture

Active Lava Flows Are Creating Toxic Plumes on the Island of Hawai’i

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been monitoring the flows all weekend.

May 21, 2018 10:56 am

Steam and volcanic gases rise (R) as lava enters the Pacific Ocean, after flowing to the water from a Kilauea volcano fissure, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 20, 2018 near Pahoa, Hawaii. Officials are concerned that 'laze', a dangerous product produced when hot lava hits cool ocean water, will affect residents. Laze, a word combination of lava and haze, contains hydrochloric acid steam along with volcanic glass particles. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has spent the past several days watching two active lava flows near MacKenzie State Park on the island of Hawai’i, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. As of 11 p.m. last night, levels of sulfur dioxide were rising in Kamaili, Seaview, and Malama Ki, all locations downwind of the active lava vents.

There is also the problem of a “laze” plume, which is created when hot lava touches cold seawater. The resulting laze appears in the form of steam containing glass particles and hydrochloric acid. Laze makes breathing harder and annoys the skin and eyes.

As of yesterday, the Observatory was warning that the laze could affect areas as far as 15 miles downwind of the lava flow on the ocean.