mount kilauea Flashcards
1
Q
background info?
A
- One of the five shield volcanoes in Hawaii
- One of the most active volcanoes in the world and has been erupting almost continuously since 1983
- Almost directly over an oceanic hotspot and mantle plume, its eruptions are effusive basaltic lava flows.
2
Q
primary impacts?
A
- Since 1983, lava from Kilauea has covered over 100 square kilometers of land, destroyed more than 200 community homes and buildings, and has damaged utilities and blocked roads.
- In 1990, Kalapana village was buried under 15 to 24m of lava.
- In 2014, residents of the Pahoa village were evacuated when high fountains erupted from a new vent, sending a lava flow towards the sea.
- When hot lava comes into contact with seawater, steam and lava can explode into the air, endangering lives.
3
Q
secondary impacts?
A
- In 1986, 2000 tonnes a day of sulfur dioxide gas was steadily being released into the atmosphere.
- This is potentially lethal within 1km of the volcano.
- It has led to persistent air pollution (volcanic smog or ‘vog’) and acid rain, which damage crops, vehicles and buildings, and can contaminate water supplies.
- 2.6 million tourists visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park every year, generating income for local businesses.
- The lava also weathers to produce very fertile soil, making Hawaii a good place to grow commercial food crops, such as sugarcane and pineapples, worth US$30 million per year to the local economy.
4
Q
immediate response?
A
- First responders, as well as local, state and federal agencies, had to quickly figure out the risk to surrounding areas, then evacuate residents and prevent people from going into areas that could be threatened by lava flows.
5
Q
long - term response?
A
- Although eruptions are not generally a threat to human life, it still needs careful management.
- The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is located close to the crater and volcanologists there monitor the volcano and issue warnings about possible eruptions and warnings.
- There are, however, weak planning laws and a growing population, which has resulted in buildings in areas at risk from the volcano - an explosive eruption today could be devastating, especially with the tourists.
