I urge all of you to read (if you havenʻt already) the Explosive
Kilauea Fact Sheet 132-98.
The lava lake in Halemaumau has disappeared from webcam view. Of
course the conduit is still hot, and lava is still there, but we canʻt
see it from the cams position.
MY OPINION and IDEAS: RE: Explosive Potential.
The Fact Sheet says that in 1924, the lake then in HMM drained, and
later, the floor of HMM collapsed, likely because of a large intrusion
somewhere on the ERZ, maybe on the underwater part.
Rocks from the collapses clogged the conduit, steam from groundwater
interacted with hot rock and explosions ensued.
In my mind, the erupting conduit is coming up through many layers from
great depth, including the water table. Small rockfalls from the
walls of the conduit (and formerly into the lake) have agitated the
lava and formed ash clouds, small explosions, etc. Iʻd expect those
rockfalls to continue and they have. But I have a hard time
envisioning a scenario when the entire floor of HMM collapses, without
massive withdrawal of magma from the system. Of course that has
happened in the past, with disastrous results.
Maybe I rationalize and live in a Fools Paradise, but I kinda feel OK
with whatʻs happening. Small explosions are to be expected. But
catastrophic ones???? Sure pray not...
And life goes on. What a remarkable time it is. These events will
make for a noteworthy report in the future.
Leilani fissures are still active. Cracks continue to widen in streets
and highways. Expect vents to emerge outside of, and perhaps uprift
of Leilani. Or not.
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