A geothermal power plant has been forced to completely shut down after Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano entered a more violent stage, shooting fountains of red into the vicinity and threatening the release of toxic gases from the site.
Crews at the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) plant worked overnight to cap the 11th and final well at the site, which provides 25 percent of the Big Island’s power.
The wells run 6,000 to 8,000 feet (1,829-2,438 meters) underground to tap into extremely hot water and steam used to run turbines and produce electricity.
The wells run 6,000 to 8,000 feet (1,829-2,438 meters) underground to tap into extremely hot water and steam used to run turbines and produce electricity.
The capping is the latest measure to be taken at the plant, which has been closed since Kilauea first erupted on May 3. Authorities previously removed the highly flammable chemical pentane from the site.
“County, state, and federal partners have been collaborating closely to monitor the situation and work with PGV to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities,” county officials said, as quoted by Reuters.
Kilauea has entered a more violent stage which has seen larger amounts of molten rock oozing from the ground and traveling a further distance. Its most recent eruption took place at around 6pm local time on Monday.
Lava began hitting the Pacific Ocean over the weekend, creating yet another hazard for the Big Island’s residents. That hazard is known as ‘laze,’ a mix of hydrochloric acid, steam, and fine glass particles which is created when hot lava hits the cooler sea water. It can cause lung, eye, and skin irritation, and even death.
At least 44 homes and other structures have been destroyed as a result of Kilauea, and 2,000 people have been ordered out of their homes. A man was also seriously injured on Saturday, after a plate-sized chunk of molten rock shot out of a fissure and struck him on the leg.
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Many thanks to Tyler Durden from”Zero Hedge” for this report!
More residents of Hawaii’s Big Island have been told to evacuate as fast moving lava threatens homes and businesses after a new, explosive eruption took place at Kilauea’s summit crater Saturday as well as the emergence of fresh, faster flowing lava throughout the region. Some 22 fissures have opened up in the lower Puna district since the eruptions began over two weeks ago, claiming at least 44 structures in the affluent Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens subdivisions.
Residents across the Ka’u region have been advised to prepare for “rapid changes in air quality” due to the potential for ashfall or increased levels of sulfur dioxide.
As of Sunday morning, powerful lava flows had crossed a highway and begun flowing into the Pacific ocean – sending “hydrochloric acid and steam with fine glass particles into the air,” according to County officials.
As of Sunday morning, powerful lava flows had crossed a highway and begun flowing into the Pacific ocean – sending “hydrochloric acid and steam with fine glass particles into the air,” according to County officials.
USGS scientists also announced on Saturday that fissures are now merging and connecting to other lava flows in the area. Fissures 16 and 20 have merged together and are producing a very voluminous line of spatter and lava fountaining.
The combined lava flow from fissure 20 advanced 1,000 feet in less than an hour early Saturday morning, and moved toward the coast at a rate of 300 yards per hour.
The eruptions took a particularly dangerous turn on Friday, with at least five separate fissures spitting out fresher, hotter lava from Kilauea’s summit. –Hawaii News Now
“With fresher, hotter magma, there’s the potential that the lava flows can move with greater ease and therefore cover more area,” said Janet Babb, USGS geologist, earlier in the day.
“The rift zone is being forced apart,” added Steve Brantley of the USGS. “I think clearly it points to the potential for additional eruptive activity” in lower Puna.
Footage of a man losing his home taken by Lava News can be seen below. The description in the video reads “After non-stop truck loads to Higher Ground the owner retreated only minutes before his house was taken. He wasn’t interested in seeing it happen with his own eyes so we recorded it for him with his permission.”
Meanwhile, a man’s leg was destroyed after a “lava bomb” hit him while he was on his 3rd floor balcony, marking the first serious injury from the eruption.
The lava flew through the air and landed on the man’s leg, spokeswoman Janet Snyder said. “It hit him on the shin, and shattered everything from there down on his leg,” Snyder added.
The man was reportedly transported to the hospital with serious injuries. –Hawaii News Now
On Wednesday, around 125 shallow quakes rattled Kilauea’s summit and nearby communities, causing minor damage to structures and roads. The strongest quake in the area was a magnitude 4.4, and dozens more have been upwards of magnitude 3.
“It’s been like hell,” said resident Ikaika Marzo, who has been helping get much-needed information to those in lower Puna.
He described the sounds of lava in the area as 10 or 20 jets taking off at once and right in your backyard. “It’s like huge grenades going off,” he said. “It shakes the whole community.”
The ongoing volcanic activity prompted civil defense authorities to urge extreme caution for anyone still in lava-ravaged areas. –Hawaii News Now
“Everything is so uncertain. It’s really nerve-wracking,” said Debbie Kalaluhi, who can see the ongoing eruption of fissure no. 17 from her backyard. “You’re very on edge. You have to really see it to believe it.”
USGS scientists also announced on Saturday that fissures are now merging and connecting to other lava flows in the area. Fissures 16 and 20 have merged together and are producing a very voluminous line of spatter and lava fountaining.
The combined lava flow from fissure 20 advanced 1,000 feet in less than an hour early Saturday morning, and moved toward the coast at a rate of 300 yards per hour.
The eruptions took a particularly dangerous turn on Friday, with at least five separate fissures spitting out fresher, hotter lava from Kilauea’s summit. –Hawaii News Now
“With fresher, hotter magma, there’s the potential that the lava flows can move with greater ease and therefore cover more area,” said Janet Babb, USGS geologist, earlier in the day.
Current lava flow (May 20 @ 1903 PM)below:
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This is a question/answer between various reporters (some by phone) given to USGS personnel about the on-going volcanic event on the Big Island of Hawaii. Information regarding the erosion of of the south part of Kilaeau into the Pacific is given @ 5:30. Of course the USGS tells us there is no worry of this happening…but that’s the government for you. 🙂
So…please take a look at this video, listen to this report, and…
InJoy!
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A dam on the Cauca in western Columbia has broken with waters rushing through. Although water in this river will now be increased downstream, no deaths or people being reported missing thus far.
This is another example of how Mother Earth is venting herself with many, many worldwide events with minimal loss of life. Let’s all thank Mother Gaia for the continued care she is showing as she ever-so-gently shakes herself as she begins her vibrational ascension.
Please watch this video, understand what is happening and why, and…
InJoy!
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Rose Rambles... 