Water in Hawaii volcano could trigger explosive eruptions
Source: Associated Press
Water in Hawaii volcano could trigger explosive eruptions
By CALEB JONES
August 3, 2019
HONOLULU (AP) — For the first time in recorded history, a pond of water has been discovered inside the summit crater of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, a development that could signal a shift to a more explosive phase of future eruptions.
After a week of questions about a mysterious green patch at the bottom of the volcano’s Halemaumau crater, the former home of a famed lava lake, researchers confirmed the presence of water on Thursday, officials with the U.S. Geological Survey told The Associated Press on Friday.
“The question is what does this mean in the evolution of the volcano?” USGS scientist emeritus Don Swanson said.
Halemaumau has never had water since written observations began, he said, so the pond is unusual.
Scientists aren’t exactly certain what will happen next, but when lava interacts with water it can cause explosive eruptions.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/403f1d69f8f041b492ed687e7644075f