Sketch by J. Johnson,
1998. Simplified oblique (left) and cross-section (right) sketches showing surface water isotherms near lava entry point on May 7, 1998. |
Unexpected large waves caused by normal ocean swells and sudden collapses of an active lava delta often send scalding hot water crashing onto shore. |
Several people have received second-degree burns from hot water that was swept onto shore where they were watching lava enter the sea. Because the hottest water is along the shoreline (see sketch above), visitors to the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park are advised by park rangers to stay at least 400 m inland from an active entry point in case a sudden wave surges onto shore. |
Sources of additional informationTribble, G.W., 1991, Underwater observations of active lava flows from Kilauea volcano, Hawaii: Geology, v. 19, p. 633-636. Sansone, F.J., and Resing, J.A., 1995, Hydrography and geochemistry of sea surface hydrothermal plumes resulting from Hawaiian coastal volcanism: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 100, p. 13,555-13,569. The URL of this page is http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/howwork/entrytemp/Contact: hvowebmaster@usgs.gov Updated: 8 June 2000 (SRB) |