Giant acidic steam clouds rise from ocean after lava spill in Hawaii (VIDEO)
Incredible footage shows colossal steam clouds rising from the ocean in Hawaii after lava flows from the Kilauea volcano entered the sea at Kapoho Bay.
Lava inundated the bay near Hawaii Island’s eastern tip on Monday night, causing giant plumes of acidic fumes, known as ‘laze,’ to billow from the ocean. Mesmerizing video captured by a US Geological Survey helicopter shows the shallow bay rapidly filling in with cooling lava.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency has issued an evacuation order for residents in the area, as the acidic fumes can prove fatal if inhaled.
Be aware of the laze hazard at the #lava ocean entry at Kapoho Bay. The plume is laden with hydrochloric acid & volcanic glass particles & local to the area around the ocean entry site. Contact with the plume can cause serious irritation to your lungs, eyes and skin. https://t.co/1ml3N0dyd2
— COH Civil Defense (@CivilDefenseHI) June 4, 2018
Laze is formed when hot lava impacts with the ocean, which sends hydrochloric acid and steam with fine glass particles into the air. Any contact with laze plumes can cause serious irritation to the lungs, eyes and skin.
The Kilauea volcano erupted on May 3, and, as of yet, there is no indication as to when the explosive eruptions might end.
