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Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Just Became Even More Dangerous

Melanie Lieberman
Melanie Lieberman
Managing Editor for Global Features
Melanie is currently the managing editor for global features at TPG, where she oversees daily travel and lifestyle news, destination coverage, travel features and reports. Prior to TPG, Melanie was an editor at Travel + Leisure magazine, and her work has appeared in Bloomberg Pursuits, Yahoo Travel, Jetsetter, Boston Common magazine, Luxe City Guides, Thrillist and Saveur magazine, among others. She has been recognized for her journalism, poetry, prose and playwriting in various competitions and festivals, and has been featured as a travel expert by notable outlets across radio, podcasts, in print and on television, including "Good Morning America," MSNBC, Fox Business and The Weather Channel.
May 21, 2018
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4 min read
Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Erupts Forcing Evacuations
Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Just Became Even More Dangerous
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Over the weekend, massive lava flows from the Kilauea volcano surged over the southeast shores of the island into the Pacific, forming thick, toxic clouds known as "laze."

Dr. Rick Knabb, an expert at The Weather Channel, told TPG that the dangerous mix of hydrochloric acid and fine slivers of glass is created when up to 2,000-degree lava reacts with the balmy 75-degree ocean waters.

"That temperature difference," he explained, "causes a very rapid and explosive kind of reaction."

According to Knabb, the breezy, easterly trade winds are carrying the laze plume "locally, to the southwest or the west-southwest." The laze is not expected to interfere with aircraft, as it's fairly low — but the noxious haze has already traveled some 15 miles along the shoreline.

PAHOA, HI - MAY 21: Steam plumes rise as lava enters the Pacific Ocean, after flowing to the water from a Kilauea volcano fissure, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 21, 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)
PAHOA, HI - MAY 21: Steam plumes rise as lava enters the Pacific Ocean, after flowing to the water from a Kilauea volcano fissure, on Hawaii's Big Island on May 21, 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)

As long as the lava continues spilling into the seawater, the laze plumes will continue forming, posing a continued threat to locals and people venturing too near the clouds.

"It's very dangerous to be up close," said Knabb. "Just breathing [the laze] could cause lung damage, [and] also tremendous eye and skin irritation. It's an amazing sight, but very nasty."

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PAHOA, HI - MAY 20: Steam plumes rise 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)
PAHOA, HI - MAY 20: Steam plumes rise 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)

Kilauea's continued eruption has become increasingly serious. On Friday evening, a brief explosion from the volcano launched ash up to 10,000 feet in the air, according to the US Geological Survey. (Last week, an eruption created a wall of smoke and ash 12,000-feet high.)

Meanwhile, spattering lava continues to fountain from multiple active fissures, and volcanic gas emissions are being carried downwind. Volcanic fog, or "vog," is also an ongoing issue — as is the continued emission of sulfur dioxide gas.

At this time, Hawaiian Airlines' travel waiver remains in effect for flights to and from either Hilo (ITC) or Kona (KOA) until May 31.

Featured image by Getty Images