Hawaii is well known for its famous volcanoes and their part in the island’s development. Most volcanoes there erupt every few years or so, but it seems that Kilauea is going for a new record. There have been a total of 21 episodes of eruption from Kilauea alone, leaving many to wonder why and what it could mean.
The eruptions began last December and have continued to occur between short periods of inactivity. These episodes have resulted in huge bursts of lava that shoot up hundreds of feet into the air. The cause of these eruptions is speculated to be the vents opening, releasing volcanic gases and magma.
At the moment, there is no immediate danger that has been detected with the bursts of lava. Although the lava does run along the side of Kilauea, it is far from most populated areas. In fact, the red streaks of lava are currently serving as beautiful sights for the tourists and the native people of Hawaii.
However, the main issue with these eruptions is that they constantly spew volcanic gases into the atmosphere. These gases travel downwind of the mountain, and can easily spread to other locations. This gas can become a major health concern to anyone who breathes in too much, which is why officials are currently monitoring the volcano. If things get out of hand, evacuations would have to be implemented for many of the areas close by. For now, the volcano remains a scientific interest that will be closely watched.
