Scientists warn of potential MASSIVE explosion for Hawaii's #Kilauea volcano

Greg P. | 8:50 AM on May 10, 2018

Scientists are warning that an explosive eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is possible as the “lava lake” — which has been emptying through new rifts east of the crater — lowers to a point where groundwater can rush in which would then quickly turn to steam and explode.

From the USGS:

#HVO/#USGS Volcanic Activity Notice
for #Kilauea: Steady lowering of lava lake at summit of #KilaueaVolcano has raised potential for explosive eruptions in coming weeks. https://t.co/7sDZqcOJ5s @CivilDefenseHI will issue alerts if needed: https://t.co/uYm7YGqOmq #KilaueaErupts pic.twitter.com/2tPcrlxiZS

— USGS Volcanoes? (@USGSVolcanoes) May 9, 2018

Scientists say conditions today are very similar to 1924 when the eruption sent “columns of ash and tons of rock that landed more than half a mile away.”

Geologists on Wednesday warned that the rapid lowering of a lava lake in Hawaii's #Kilauea Volcano has raised the potential for explosive eruptions in the coming weeks https://t.co/H1uQeHRJDS

— CNN Weather Center (@CNNweather) May 9, 2018

Here’s a 3D model of what’s going on inside the crater:

New 3D model of the summit lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater (Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii). The lava lake is ~970 feet below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. https://t.co/OoaXdJDzND pic.twitter.com/WimDTohGlN

— USGS Volcanoes? (@USGSVolcanoes) May 10, 2018

Yesterday, a small landslide did cause this mini explosion as a taste of things to come:

Rockfall generates a short-lived explosion at Halema‘uma‘u crater, Hawaii, at 8:27 a.m. HST, May 9. Explosion not caused by the interaction of the lava lake with the water table. https://t.co/hd8FPsBVgf pic.twitter.com/pNUcJYep9y

— USGS Volcanoes? (@USGSVolcanoes) May 9, 2018