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Types of Volcano Hazards on the Island of Hawai`i
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Waha`ula Visitor Center in Hawai`i
Volcanoes National Park burns from an advancing lava flow
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The following types of volcanic hazards on the Island of
Hawai`i are described in the online publication, Volcanic
and Seismic Hazards on the Island of Hawai`i, revised
and reprinted in 1997.
Lava flows
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Lava flows are the most common volcanic hazard on Hawai`i
and pose the greatest threat to property. For example, since 1983,
lava erupted by Kilauea Volcano has covered 102 km2
of land, claimed 181 houses, and closed the coastal highway as
flows resurfaced 13 km of it with as much as 25 m of lava.
Explosive eruptions
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Explosive eruptions are relatively rare but pose a serious
threat to life when they do occur -- a large explosive eruption
in 1790 A.D. killed more than 80 Hawaiian warriors marching across
the summit area of the volcano.
Airborne lava fragments
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Airborne lava fragments erupted by lava fountains pose a
serious hazard only in the immediate vicinity of an erupting vent.
Sulfur dioxide gas
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Sulfur dioxide gas, continuously emitted during Kilauea's current
long-lived eruption, has resulted in persistent volcanic air pollution
in areas of the island downwind of the eruption.
Ground cracks and settling
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A lesser volcanic hazard is created by ground
movement that occurs when molten rock moves underground;
large cracks may appear across roads and other
property, and subsidence can cause uneven settling of
foundations.
The URL of this page is
http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/types/
Contact:
hvowebmaster@usgs.gov
Updated:
17 May 2005 (pnf)
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