Kilauea eruption now causing toxic clouds of gas too
- 6 years ago
HAWAII — People in Hawaii are now being warned of white plumes of toxic air and extremely fine glass particles as lava continues to pour out from the Kilauea volcano.
Officials warned the public on Sunday to avoid the cloud formed by the chemical reaction when lava meets seawater, according to CBS News.
According to officials, two lava flows have reached the Pacific, creating thick steam clouds known as "laze."
Laze clouds are laced with hydrochloric acid and fine glass shards that can irritate skin and eyes and affect breathing.
The laze cloud from the plume spread as far as 15 miles west of location the lava entered the Pacific on the Big Island's southern coast, according to CBS News.
The Coast Guard is currently enforcing a 984-foot (330 meters) safety zone around the ocean point of entry.
Kilauea has burned down 40 structures, including 25 homes since it starting erupting on May 3. Around 2,000 people have had to evacuate their homes.
Officials warned the public on Sunday to avoid the cloud formed by the chemical reaction when lava meets seawater, according to CBS News.
According to officials, two lava flows have reached the Pacific, creating thick steam clouds known as "laze."
Laze clouds are laced with hydrochloric acid and fine glass shards that can irritate skin and eyes and affect breathing.
The laze cloud from the plume spread as far as 15 miles west of location the lava entered the Pacific on the Big Island's southern coast, according to CBS News.
The Coast Guard is currently enforcing a 984-foot (330 meters) safety zone around the ocean point of entry.
Kilauea has burned down 40 structures, including 25 homes since it starting erupting on May 3. Around 2,000 people have had to evacuate their homes.