Lakes of Lava Ooze From Mt. Kilauea After Earthquakes
Pastor Dale Morgan
Jun 20, 4:27 PM EDT
*Lakes of Lava Ooze From Mt. Kilauea After Earthquakes*
HONOLULU (AP) -- Lakes of Lava oozed from a new location on Mount
Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, scientists said
Tuesday. Researchers on the Big Island had been looking for a new lava
breakout point after hundreds of small earthquakes were recorded Sunday,
suggesting magma, or underground lava, was shifting beneath the surface.
The outbreaks of lava oozed about 150 feet from a 600-foot-long fissure
in a forest about eight miles southeast of Kilauea's summit, the U.S.
Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said on its Web site.
When a field crew arrived, lava was moving sluggishly and the fissure
was emitting heavy smoke and steam. By the time the crew left four hours
later, the lava had stopped flowing and the smoke and steam had
decreased significantly.
Part of the park on the Big Island remained closed to protect public
safety while researchers examined the latest lava breakout.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced
the closure of Pu'u 'O'o Trail. It will remain closed until further notice.
Kilauea has been erupting continuously since Jan. 3, 1983, sending lava
from the Pu'u 'O'o cone through a system of tubes to the ocean where it
forms new land over time.
In Hawaiian tradition, Kilauea is home to Pele, the volcano goddess.
Lava is said to be her physical representation.
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On the Net:
U.S. Geological Survey: http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php