Kilauea Volcano Erupts On Hawaii's Big Island (nytimes.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The New York Times: The Kilauea volcano erupted from its summit on Thursday morning (Warning: source may be paywalled; alternative source), spewing an ash plume that reached 30,000 feet above the island of Hawaii, the authorities said. The eruption was the most forceful new explosion so far at Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes. Kilauea has already been triggering small earthquakes, creating gas-emitting fissures and releasing flows of lava that have destroyed dozens of homes this month. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued a "code red" warning that additional activity could be expected. "At any time, activity may again become more explosive, increasing the intensity of ash production and producing ballistic projectiles near the vent," the observatory said. But Dr. Michelle Coombs of the United States Geological Survey said that ash fall from the eruption, which occurred shortly after 4 a.m., was "pretty limited" to the area around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. She emphasized that the new eruption wasn't the "big one" that some are fearing, drawing a contrast with the eruption in 1980 of Mount St. Helens in Washington State that killed 57 people.

Comments

Now is this East or West of Java?

[Anonymous Coward]

So to avoid in my travels of the South Pacific. And please get it right!

Re: Now is this East or West of Java?

[Anonymous Coward]

It's both. We live on a sphere.

Re:Now is this East or West of Java?

[Anonymous Coward]

It is a non-issue for your travels.

It also has been erupting for 35 years with significant outflow of lava and sulfur dioxide in the East Rift zone for the last 3 weeks. The lava lake in the Halema'uma'u crater fell (likely feeding the tubes undernath the Easter Rift Zone, although the lava there is still chemically different). As a result of the falling level of the lake, there is nothing pressing outwards on the walls of the crater and rocks are falling in causing periodic burts of ash rising up to 30000 feet this morning. Geologists still expect a steam explosion, similiar to one in 1924, when the lake level falls below that of groundwater and with increasing rock falls likely closing the crater, allowing pressure to build.

Re:Now is this East or West of Java?

[PPH]

Hawaii is west of Java per navigational standards. You measure longitude to Hawaii West from the Greenwich Meridian and East to Java.

Re:Now is this East or West of Java?

[Anonymous Coward]

feeding the tubes

So...it's like the interwebs?

Re: Now is this East or West of Java?

[Anonymous Coward]

This thread is about volcanology and geology. Go away, Ivan!

Re: Now is this East or West of Java?

[Type44Q]

but that basic bitch

Could just as easily be poorly translated Chinese.

Re:Now is this East or West of Java?

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.tcm.com/this-month/... ...As many historians and movie critics have pointed out, Krakatoa is WEST of Java but veracity is not one of Hollywood's strengths in producing historical epics.

The Big One?

[PPH]

I've been seeing that still frame on all the news services (see TFA). Looks like globs of stuff raining down in front of the camera. The evening news just showed the video from that cam. It's just splatter on the lens/window. Crater is steaming away in the background and the globs aren't moving.

Re:The Big One?

[amiga3D]

As long as it doesn't go off like Krakatoa did in 1883. That pretty much obliterated the entire Island killing many miles away. Some of the pyroclastic flows reached the Sumatran coast 25 miles away, having apparently moved across the water on a cushion of superheated steam. That would be "the big one."

Re:The Big One?

[Michael Woodhams]

A much better (i.e. much bigger) example is Mt Tambora, 1815, and also in Indonesia (like Krakatoa.)

However the Hawaiian volcanos are the wrong type make a Krakatoa sized bang. If Hawaii wants to create a epic disaster, it would do it by an under sea landslide triggering a tsunami.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Note Hawaii does not feature on this second map, although it is for VEI 7 and 8 volcanos, while Krakatoa was smaller at merely VEI 6.

Re:The Big One?

[Anonymous Coward]

Technically, the 500 meter (about a third of a mile to USians) tall waves that wash over Hawaii every half million or so years aren't Tsunamis. Tsunamis are caused by shockwaves from earthquakes and the actual wave builds up in the shallows near shore. The Hawaii waves you're talking about are caused, as you say, by underwater landslides. Basically, sediment builds up and builds up on a huge underwater slope until it exceeds the angle of repose by too much and becomes unstable, then something (which admittedly could be an earthquake), causes a massive slippage. This sucks the water down above it and basically creates a massive depression in the water, which then rebounds and creates a truly massive wave. It apparently makes even a big Tsunami look like a little bit of flooding at the seashore.

Re:The Big One?

[phantomfive]

Basically, sediment builds up and builds up on a huge ... slope until it exceeds the angle of repose by too much and becomes unstable, then something (which admittedly could be an earthquake), causes a massive slippage. This sucks the water down above it and basically creates a massive depression in the water, which then rebounds and creates a truly massive wave. It apparently makes even a big Tsunami look like a little bit of flooding at the seashore.

What tsunami wasn't created that way?

Re:The Big One?

[Anonymous Coward]

Most tsunamis are caused by a shifting fault rather than an avalanche. You may have a point that, in some ways it's really a matter of degree. The term Tsunami literally means "harbour wave" though. It doesn't normally travel as a big wave at sea. It's generally barely noticeable until it hits the beach and the ocean flows out, then back in with a vengeance. The wave in this case could be expected to be more like a moving mountain at sea.

Re: The Big One?

[Bruha]

Thatâ(TM)s not the worst. La Garita was the worst. I donâ(TM)t even know how they know that Colorado super volcano exists I canâ(TM)t see it in satellite images.

Re:The Big One?

[Anonymous Coward]

The eruption of Mount Tambora in early April 1815 resulted in 1816 being the “year without summer”.
The ash blocked sunlight that, even though 1816 was not the coldest year on record, the cold occurred during the growing season. This led to food shortages in Europe and in some parts of the U.S.
One interesting result of the “year without summer” was that a bunch of writers gathered in gloomy Switzerland and challenged each other to produce dark tales inspired by the gloomy and chilly weather. Mary Shelly produced the work known as “Frankenstein”.

Re:The Big One?

[Anonymous Coward]

Video or it didn't happen.

parasitic humans

[Anonymous Coward]

The earth has had just about enough of us parasites and it doing something about it.

Re:parasitic humans

[amiga3D]

There's plenty of evidence that volcanoes are dangerous. If you hang around one while it's erupting, it's all on you. Regardless of political affiliation.

Re:parasitic humans

[Anonymous Coward]

The most likely (re: not likely at all) DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM scenario is the Hilina slump slumping out entirely. In which case, you're probably correct, I suspect the Republicans would declare something should have been done to prevent the resultant mega tsunami from taking so long to wipe out coastal California.

Re:parasitic humans

[Applehu Akbar]

The earth has had just about enough of us parasites and it doing something about it.

No, Mother Gaia will not allow harm to come to a blue state. The evangelical God might, however.

Oh oh

[Tablizer]

We slashdot virgins get nervous when volcanos open up.

Re:Oh oh

[Anonymous Coward]

We slashdot virgins get nervous when volcanos open up.

Yeah but look on the bright side, apparently the angry volcano can be appeased by throwing a sitting US president into it.

Re:Oh oh

[Tablizer]

Orange into orange? Can't be good.

Re:Oh oh

[Anonymous Coward]

Trump mostly stands. I have seen many pics of obama sitting in his empty chair. Does that count?

Hilina Slump

[MrKaos]

One of the areas I'm interested in on this island is Hilina Slump. It shears of a block of land into the ocean quite regularly (about every two years) and is generally expected, however it is overdue for such an event as of now.

Apparently geological evidence has been found suggesting it has been responsible for mega-tsunamis big enough to reach the east coast of Australia. So considering it's proximity to this volcano it is worthy of our attention.

Re:Hilina Slump

[Anonymous Coward]

East coast? Nothing there but baby-eating dingos, so relax, throw another prawn on the barbie, and suck on a beyuh.

Old news

[Anonymous Coward]

This happened almost 7 hours ago and has been on every major news feed... but this is "news" from BeauHD? Seriously get with the times.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/05/15/hawaii-volcano-kilauea-eruption-disrupts-big-island-cruises/612140002/

Re:Old news

[jfdavis668]

I had to go peer review before it was posted.

It is dangerous to live in that place

[dogo365]

It is dangerous to live in that place. Sory because my bad english

Re:It is dangerous to live in that place

[cdsparrow]

It's dangerous for the people who built their houses on a lava field... Not so dangerous for where most of the people live (for now anyway).

Re:It is dangerous to live in that place

[Anonymous Coward]

And normal people can't afford to go there, so this only affect the rich that have stolen so much from us. I want to die since I can't take time off from work and have never been allowed a vacation unlike their kind.

Re:It is dangerous to live in that place

[Michael Woodhams]

Almost everywhere in the world has danger of natural disaster, but we tend to become accustomed to the threats where we live, and alarmed by threats that we do not face, in other places.

Having said that, living close to Kilauea is probably more dangerous than most places, but Kilauea is high threat to property, comparatively low threat to life, as volcanos generally give you enough warning to be somewhere else (at least with modern technology they do.)

Over 23 million people live in Taiwan, with close to the highest earthquake risk in the world, and typhoon risk on top of that.

Re: It is dangerous to live in that place

[Anonymous Coward]

Stop smoking pot and getting drunk. Get an education. Work harder. Don't commit felonies. Stop whining about what unspecified "others" do to you and take responsibility for your shitty existence.

Re: It is dangerous to live in that place

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm not as think as you're drunk I am.

Re:It is dangerous to live in that place

[Brett Buck]

Having said that, living close to Kilauea is probably more dangerous than most places, but Kilauea is high threat to property, comparatively low threat to life, as volcanos generally give you enough warning to be somewhere else (at least with modern technology they do.)

Well. the sorts of volcanos in Hawaii are like that, tending to flow thin and gas-poor lava for a long time, which is pretty slow-moving and easy to avoid. Other types of volcanos (like the subduction-drivin types those in the Pacific Northwest, Krakatoa, etc) tend to explode violently, and are pretty dangerous in all respects.

Re: It is dangerous to live in that place

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh and don't forget to constantly lie, betray, be dishonest on your tax forms, sell cheap shit at inflated prices, ignore poverty and hunger while your sitting on that scrappy thin beach full of Russian tourist who are way richer than you anyway as they are way better in above mentioned traits of being a dog. Sorry for any offence to dogs here.

Re: It is dangerous to live in that place

[Type44Q]

and have never been allowed a vacation unlike their kind

You're responding to a foreign shill rather than an actual "down and out native Hawaiian."

Re:It is dangerous to live in that place

[antdude]

Where is not dangerous?

So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[filesiteguy]

Is my SUV now less polluting?

(Just kidding, I drive a hybrid and only have the suv on weekends.)

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[PolygamousRanchKid]

(Just kidding, I drive a hybrid and only have the suv on weekends.)

It's a sad day on Slashdot when folks have to justify what cars they drive. It should be perfectly acceptable to us that you can drive your SUV whenever you want.

Getting back on topic, I blame the volcano eruption on Slashdotters who live within driving distance of the volcano. They should have been tossing more virgins into the volcano to appease the Gods down inside.

Of course, Steve McGarrett and his pals might get into a huff about tossing virgins into volcanos, but that's just typical of the police. They get into a huff no matter what you do.

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[Type44Q]

They should have been tossing more virgins

If you want Pele to spit (violently) rather than swallow, then sure; toss in a Slashdot virgin.

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[higuita]

It goes both sides... on one hand the CO2 release level increase and causing global warming, but on the other hand the volcano release ash and sulfur, that block sun light and reduce the global warming. The end result depend of the type or eruption and how long it last. Whatever the result is, your SUV is still shit, we can not control volcanoes, but we can control vehicles emissions, so we must act where we can. Ignoring a problem just because there is another one is the same as keep playing Russian roulette just because you know there is sniper in town shooting people... you may die the same way (bullet in your head), but one of then it is totally your fault!

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[higuita]

It's a sad day on Slashdot when folks have to justify what cars they drive. It should be perfectly acceptable to us that you can drive your SUV whenever you want.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to release CFC, shooting people that look to you or smoking in a a nursery ... How is this different? Just because it was acceptable years ago to produce CFC, now we know that it destroys the Ozone layer, that protect us all... in the wild west it was "ok" to shot other people for whatever reason, until the sheriffs and law enforcement arrived and that was not "ok" anymore. Smoking was cool in the past, even kids could do it... until you find it kills and now if you see someone smoking in a nursery you would think that the guy was a idiot.

Driving a big pollution car was ok 15 years ago, but now everyone knows it is wrong... ignoring the problem do not solve it, yet some people try to do it anyway (even if it is because they can't change cars)!!
The fact that it is wrong do not change and slowly more people will see that as a bad thing instead of "i'm free to do it"... it is called progress. The fact that it generated mix feelings is because SUV perspective is changing NOW

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[Anonymous Coward]

in fact to combat heat pollution we should do away with electricity, building, streets...

Not just the SUV. You're not doing enough!!

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[LynnwoodRooster]

toss in a Slashdot virgin.

Modifier: -1, redundant

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[Anonymous Coward]

Sure you want to admit you are a Trump supporter and wan't to bring back coal too. It's a sad day for the world people make light of an urgent problem that they are mostly to blame for.

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[filesiteguy]

You are absolutely correct. I need to get rid of this computer, my house, and - while I'm at it - encourage 4b to 6b people to commit suicide so that we can bring earth back to population levels in the 1800s.

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[ckaminski]

[q]until the sheriffs and law enforcement arrived and that was not "ok" anymore[/q]

This is just another version of "might makes right".

The reputation of shoot-out at the OK Corral is not justified. You were far more likely to be killed by Indians than "outlaws". And that was well earned, honestly, considering how horribly the government treated the Natives.

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[Anonymous Coward]

In that same 15 years, every police department in my state has traded in their sedans for SUVs.

Re:So what about my CO2 spewing SUV?

[higuita]

+1 to that! :)