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Island of Fire

An up-close look at how a volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island began to burst

November 2018
By Jacqueline Adams

© Andrew Lee Jackson/Planet Pix via ZUMA Wire

Scorching lava shoots out from a crack in the volcano. The hardened lava forms a wall, blocking a road.

Last May, 10-year-old Gabriella Tiapula Tuson was in a car with her family when she saw something astonishing. A few miles away, a stream of lava shot out of the ground like a red water fountain. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Gabriella says.

Gabriella lives on the Big Island of Hawaii. There, a volcano called Kilauea began spewing out lava last May. Over the next three months, the lava damaged roads and burned hundreds of buildings. The volcano also shot clouds of ash and toxic gas into the air. Thousands of Hawaii residents had to leave their homes. Others, like Gabriella, had to stay indoors to avoid breathing in ash.

As of press time, the eruption had paused. Still, scientists are monitoring Kilauea’s activity every day. They hope what they learn can help keep Hawaiians safe.

Last May, 10-year-old Gabriella Tiapula Tuson saw something amazing. She was in a car with her family. That’s when a stream of lava shot out of the ground. It was just a few miles away. It looked like a red water fountain. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” says Gabriella.

Gabriella lives on the Big Island of Hawaii. There, a volcano called Kilauea began spewing lava last May. It damaged roads. It burned hundreds of buildings, too. The volcano also shot clouds of ash and toxic gas into the air. Thousands of people had to leave their homes. Others, like Gabriella, had to stay indoors. That way they wouldn’tbreathe in ash.

As of press time, the eruption had paused. Still, scientists are watching Kilauea’s activity. They hope what they learn can help keep Hawaiians safe.

Warning Signs

People in Hawaii are used to volcanoes. There are five volcanoes on the Big Island, the largest of Hawaii’s chain of islands. Hawaii sits on a hot spot, an area where super-hot, liquid rock called magma rises from deep within Earth.At the surface, the lava cools and hardens, creating new land. That’s how the islands formed over millions of years.

Four of Hawaii’s volcanoes are active. That means they’ve erupted in the past 10,000 years. Kilauea has actually been erupting since 1983. But most of its bursts have not been dangerous. In fact, many tourists visit Kilauea at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

People in Hawaii are used to volcanoes. There are five volcanoes on the Big Island. It’sthe largest of Hawaii’s chain of islands. Hawaii sits on a hot spot. It’s an area where magma rises from deep within Earth. The hot, melted rock reaches the surface as lava. There, it cools and hardens. That creates new land. It’s how the islands formed over millions of years.

Four of Hawaii’s volcanoes are active. That means they’ve erupted in the past 10,000 years. Kilauea has actually been erupting since 1983. But most of its outbursts haven’t been dangerous. In fact, many tourists visit Kilauea. It’s part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

U.S. Geological Survey

Rivers of lava from Kilauea burn the roads and homes in their path.

But in April 2018, scientists saw signs that a big eruption was coming. A caldera at the summit of Kilauea overflowed with lava. At the same time, other parts of the volcano swelled up like a balloon filling with air.

Those were signs that magma was moving inside the volcano more than usual, says Wendy Stovall, a volcano expert with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). “We knew that eventually the volcano would bust open, but we didn’t know where,” she says.

But scientists sensed a big eruption was coming in April 2018. A caldera at the summit of Kilauea overflowed with lava. Other parts of the volcano swelled up like a balloon filling with air.

Those were signs that more magma was on the move inside the volcano than usual, says Wendy Stovall. She’s a volcano expert. She works with the U.S. Geological Survey. “We knew that eventually the volcano would bust open,” she says. “But we didn’t know where.”

Hot Spot

Kilauea is one of five volcanoes on Hawaii’s Big Island. The four circled below are considered active.

Kilauea is one of five volcanoes on Hawaii’s Big Island. The four circled below are considered active.

JIM MCMAHON

Think: Are you surprised by the location of Kilauea’s most recent lava flows? Why or why not?

Think: Are you surprised by the location of Kilauea’s most recent lava flows? Why or why not?

Hot Spot

Kilauea is one of five volcanoes on Hawaii’s Big Island. The four circled below are considered active.

Kilauea is one of five volcanoes on Hawaii’s Big Island. The four circled below are considered active.

JIM MCMAHON

Think: Are you surprised by the location of Kilauea’s most recent lava flows? Why or why not?

Think: Are you surprised by the location of Kilauea’s most recent lava flows? Why or why not?

Moving Magma

Some types of volcanoes have explosive eruptions. But shield volcanoes like Kilauea don’t usually erupt violently. They typically ooze thin lava from a crater at their tops (see Inside a Shield Volcano). Lava can also seep from fissures, cracks in weak areas of rock.

On May 3, one of these fissures opened right in the middle of a neighborhood called Leilani Estates. Over the next few weeks, dozens more cracks opened, oozing rivers of lava. The fissures also shot melted rock more than 60 meters (197 feet) into the air

Some types of volcanoes have explosive eruptions. But Kilauea is a shield volcano. Theydon’t usually erupt violently. Instead, they ooze thin lava. It erupts from a crater at their tops (see Inside a Shield Volcano). Lava can also seep from fissures. Thesecracks form in weak areas of rock.

One of these fissures opened on May 3. It was right in the middle of a neighborhood. It’s called Leilani Estates. Dozens more cracks opened over the next few weeks. They oozed rivers of lava. The fissures also shot melted rock into the air. It blasted up more than 60 meters (197 feet).

Inside a Shield Volcano

Shield volcanoes are broad with gently sloping sides. They are formed by thin, runny lava.

Shield volcanoes are broad. They have gently sloping sides. They are formed by thin, runny lava.

FLORIAN KOPP/IMAGEBROKER/AGE FOTOSTOCK 

Magma Chamber: Hot melted rock collects underground.

Magma Chamber: Hot melted rock collects underground.

Caldera: Magma rises to a large crater at the summit.

Caldera: Magma rises to a large crater at the summit.

Lava Flows: Lava erupts and spreads around the volcano.

Lava Flows: Lava erupts and spreads around the volcano.

Fissures: Lava spews out from cracks in weak areas of rock.

Fissures: Lava spews out from cracks in weak areas of rock.

Think: How do you think the properties of a shield volcano’s lava affect its shape?

Think: How do you think the properties of a shield volcano’s lava affect its shape?

Inside a Shield Volcano

Shield volcanoes are broad with gently sloping sides. They are formed by thin, runny lava.

Shield volcanoes are broad. They have gently sloping sides. They are formed by thin, runny lava.

FLORIAN KOPP/IMAGEBROKER/AGE FOTOSTOCK 

Magma Chamber: Hot melted rock collects underground.

Magma Chamber: Hot melted rock collects underground.

Caldera: Magma rises to a large crater at the summit.

Caldera: Magma rises to a large crater at the summit.

Lava Flows: Lava erupts and spreads around the volcano.

Lava Flows: Lava erupts and spreads around the volcano.

Fissures: Lava spews out from cracks in weak areas of rock.

Fissures: Lava spews out from cracks in weak areas of rock.

Think: How do you think the properties of a shield volcano’s lava affect its shape?

Think: How do you think the properties of a shield volcano’s lava affect its shape?

Luckily, the lava was moving slower than a walking pace, so people had time to evacuate. But the scorching lava flows burned more than 700 homes.

In mid-May, magma began draining from the volcano, causing Kilauea’s top to collapse. Gas escaping from the ground built up pressure beneath the rubble, producing giant explosions of ash.

Luckily, the lava was moving slower than a walking pace. So people had time to get away. But the lava flows burned more than 700 homes.

Magma began draining from the volcano in mid-May. That caused Kilauea’s top to cave in. Gas escaped from the ground. It built up beneath the rubble. The result was a giant explosion of ash.

U.S. Geological Survey

A geologist uses a laser device to measure the depth of the lava near Kilauea’s summit.

The moving magma also caused thousands of earthquakes. Most were too small to notice, but one shook Gabriella’s school. “We had to get under our desks in case there was another shock,” she says.

The moving magma also caused thousands of earthquakes. Most were too small to notice. But one shook Gabriella’s school. “We had to get under our desks in case there was another shock,” she says.

On the Front Lines

Since the eruption began, authorities have urged people to steer clear of the volcano. Parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park also closed.

Officials have warned people to steer clear of the volcano since the eruption began. Parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park also closed.

U.S. Geological Survey

A plume of ash and volcanic gas rises from Kilauea in May 2018.

But scientists have trekked up close to the volcano to study it. They’ve scooped up lava samples to analyze. Learning what chemicals the lava contains can help experts understand what’s happening underground. Scientists have also used high-tech tools to measure the lava’s movements.

Meanwhile, the lava that erupted from Kilauea has cooled and formed new land. “You’re seeing creation and destruction happen at the same time,” says Stovall.

But scientists have got up close to the volcano to study it. They’ve scooped up lava samples. They want to learn what chemicals they contain. It can help them learn what’s going on underground. Scientists have also used devices to measure the lava’s movements.

Meanwhile, the lava that erupted from Kilauea has cooled. It formed new land. “You’re seeing creation and destruction happen at the same time,” says Stovall.

Lava Race

What makes liquids flow faster?

KATE FRANCIS

Step 5

Observe

Lava flows at different speeds depending on its physical properties.

Lava flows at different speeds depending on its physical properties.

Ask a Research Question

Which liquid will move down a ramp the fastest: water, vegetable oil, or pancake syrup?

Which liquid will move down a ramp the fastest: water, vegetable oil, or pancake syrup?

Materials

• 3 clear plastic cups

• marker 

• measuring cup

• water

• vegetable oil

• pancake syrup

• 35-centimeter (14-inch) long piece of cardboard

• stack of books about 25 cm (10 in) tall

• ruler

• paper towels

• 3 plastic spoons

• timer

• paper and pencil

• 3 clear plastic cups

• marker 

• measuring cup

• water

• vegetable oil

• pancake syrup

• 35-centimeter (14-inch) long piece of cardboard

• stack of books about 25 cm (10 in) tall

• ruler

• paper towels

• 3 plastic spoons

• timer

• paper and pencil

Procedure

1. Label your plastic cups: A, B, and C. Pour ¼ cup of water into cup A, ¼ cup of vegetable oil into cup B, and ¼ cup of pancake syrup into cup C.   

2. Draw a start line near one end of the cardboard and a finish line at the other end about 30 cm (12 in) away. Use the stack of books to prop the cardboard at a 45-degree angle. Place paper towels at the bottom of the ramp. 

3. Gently swirl the liquids in the cups and observe how they move. Predict which liquid will flow down the ramp fastest. 

4. Fill a spoon with liquid from cup A. Pour the liquid on the top of the cardboard. Start the timer once the liquid reaches the start line.

5. Stop the timer when the liquid reaches the finish line. Perform two more trials with liquid from cup A. Record the times in a data table.  

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the liquids in cups B and C. 

1. Label your plastic cups: A, B, and C. Pour ¼ cup of water into cup A. Pour ¼ cup of vegetable oil into cup B. And pour ¼ cup of pancake syrup into cup C.  

2. Draw a start line near one end of the cardboard. Draw a finish line at the other end about 30 cm (12 in) away. Use the stack of books to prop the cardboard at a 45-degree angle. Place paper towels at the bottom of the ramp. 

3. Gently swirl the liquids in the cups. Observe how they move. Predict which liquid will flow down the ramp fastest.

4. Fill a spoon with liquid from cup A. Pour the liquid on the top of the cardboard. Start the timer once the liquid reaches the start line.

5. Stop the timer when the liquid reaches the finish line. Perform two more trials with liquid from cup A. Record the times in a data table.  

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the liquids in cups B and C.

Results

How long did it take the liquids to reach the end of the ramp? Calculate the average speed of each liquid (speed = distance/time).

How long did it take the liquids to reach the end of the ramp? Calculate the average speed of each liquid (speed = distance/time).

Conclusions

1. In what order did the liquids finish the race?

2. How much a liquid resists flowing is called viscosity. For example, thick lava that flows slowly has high viscosity. Which liquid you tested has the highest viscosity? 

3. How might the viscosity of a volcano’s lava affect how dangerous its eruption is?

1. In what order did the liquids finish the race?

2. How much a liquid resists flowing is called viscosity. For example, thick lava that flows slowly has high viscosity. Which liquid you tested has the highest viscosity? 

3. How might the viscosity of a volcano’s lava affect how dangerous its eruption is?

Take it Further

Temperature can affect a fluid’s viscosity. Design an experiment to test how fast pancake syrup of different temperatures moves down a ramp.

Temperature can affect a fluid’s viscosity. Design an experiment to test how fast pancake syrup of different temperatures moves down a ramp.

Lava Race

What makes liquids flow faster?

KATE FRANCIS

Step 5

Observe

Lava flows at different speeds depending on its physical properties.

Lava flows at different speeds depending on its physical properties.

Ask a Research Question

Which liquid will move down a ramp the fastest: water, vegetable oil, or pancake syrup?

Which liquid will move down a ramp the fastest: water, vegetable oil, or pancake syrup?

Materials

• 3 clear plastic cups

• marker 

• measuring cup

• water

• vegetable oil

• pancake syrup

• 35-centimeter (14-inch) long piece of cardboard

• stack of books about 25 cm (10 in) tall

• ruler

• paper towels

• 3 plastic spoons

• timer

• paper and pencil

• 3 clear plastic cups

• marker 

• measuring cup

• water

• vegetable oil

• pancake syrup

• 35-centimeter (14-inch) long piece of cardboard

• stack of books about 25 cm (10 in) tall

• ruler

• paper towels

• 3 plastic spoons

• timer

• paper and pencil

Procedure

1. Label your plastic cups: A, B, and C. Pour ¼ cup of water into cup A, ¼ cup of vegetable oil into cup B, and ¼ cup of pancake syrup into cup C.   

2. Draw a start line near one end of the cardboard and a finish line at the other end about 30 cm (12 in) away. Use the stack of books to prop the cardboard at a 45-degree angle. Place paper towels at the bottom of the ramp. 

3. Gently swirl the liquids in the cups and observe how they move. Predict which liquid will flow down the ramp fastest. 

4. Fill a spoon with liquid from cup A. Pour the liquid on the top of the cardboard. Start the timer once the liquid reaches the start line.

5. Stop the timer when the liquid reaches the finish line. Perform two more trials with liquid from cup A. Record the times in a data table.  

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the liquids in cups B and C. 

1. Label your plastic cups: A, B, and C. Pour ¼ cup of water into cup A. Pour ¼ cup of vegetable oil into cup B. And pour ¼ cup of pancake syrup into cup C.  

2. Draw a start line near one end of the cardboard. Draw a finish line at the other end about 30 cm (12 in) away. Use the stack of books to prop the cardboard at a 45-degree angle. Place paper towels at the bottom of the ramp. 

3. Gently swirl the liquids in the cups. Observe how they move. Predict which liquid will flow down the ramp fastest.

4. Fill a spoon with liquid from cup A. Pour the liquid on the top of the cardboard. Start the timer once the liquid reaches the start line.

5. Stop the timer when the liquid reaches the finish line. Perform two more trials with liquid from cup A. Record the times in a data table.  

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the liquids in cups B and C.

Results

How long did it take the liquids to reach the end of the ramp? Calculate the average speed of each liquid (speed = distance/time).

How long did it take the liquids to reach the end of the ramp? Calculate the average speed of each liquid (speed = distance/time).

Conclusions

1. In what order did the liquids finish the race?

2. How much a liquid resists flowing is called viscosity. For example, thick lava that flows slowly has high viscosity. Which liquid you tested has the highest viscosity? 

3. How might the viscosity of a volcano’s lava affect how dangerous its eruption is?

1. In what order did the liquids finish the race?

2. How much a liquid resists flowing is called viscosity. For example, thick lava that flows slowly has high viscosity. Which liquid you tested has the highest viscosity? 

3. How might the viscosity of a volcano’s lava affect how dangerous its eruption is?

Take it Further

Temperature can affect a fluid’s viscosity. Design an experiment to test how fast pancake syrup of different temperatures moves down a ramp.

Temperature can affect a fluid’s viscosity. Design an experiment to test how fast pancake syrup of different temperatures moves down a ramp.

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