Lava From Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Creates Rare and Dramatic Show

Lava from Hawaii's longest erupting volcano on the Big Island is creating a rare and dramatic combination of steam and waves that could potentially bring thrill-seeking visitors if it continues, officials said on Tuesday. Kilauea Volcano, which has been erupting from its Pu'u O'o vent since 1983, began pouring into the Pacific on Saturday, Reuters reported.

According to U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory spokeswoman Janet Babb, the flow from the volcano was the first to reach the ocean since last December.

Jim Kauahikaua, the lead scientist at the observatory, told Hawaii News Now on Sunday, "It appears more lava has been able to get our of Pu'u O'o into these lava flows and push them towards the ocean. Before that, it was sort of stop and go heading down the coastal flank, and it took the flows a long time to reach the ocean yesterday."

The natural occurrence, while spectacular to visit and see, could be very dangerous, Babb warned. Once lava reaches the ocean, it cools and hardens into a lava delta that is unstable and can collapse, Reuters stated. Babb said that when the lava delta collapses, it could injure visitors standing 100 years (meters) away.

"The molten lava meeting the ocean creates steam which may look innocuous, but can be quite hazardous," the spokeswoman said. "It's acidic and contains tiny particles of volcanic glass. And waves crashing with the lava can send out scalding water."

However, the dangers are not likely to dissuade tourist who wish to see the natural phenomenon. George Applegate, director of the Big Island Visitors Bureau told Reuters he expected a rise in tourists to the area. "We always do," he said. "A lot of people want to see a live lava flow."

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea is located, received over 1.3 million visitors last year, park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane said.

Hawaii News Now reported that scientists are unsure of how long the lava will flow into the ocean. "It was never a strong entry and you know, generally those may not last very long, but it's hard at this point. It depends on how much lava gets that far out across the coastal plain."

Reuters reported that no communities around Kilauea Volcano are at risk by the lava flow.