LAVA ENTERING THE SEA
One of nature’s most spectacular sights is lava entering the sea. When lava pours into the ocean, seawater flashes into steam causing spectacular explosions and blasting hot rocks, hot water, and molten lava fragments hundreds of feet into the air, out to sea, and inland.
Be Alert to Danger
Lava entering the sea is often hidden beneath a plume of steam, luring visitors too close for safety. Newly formed lava shorelines can collapse generating large waves and blasts showering large lava rocks both inland and out to sea.
HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM!
- Always follow approved, marked pathways.
- Stay at least 1,200 feet away from where lava enters the sea.
- Exercise caution if you have heart or respiratory ailments, such as chronic asthma. Acid fumes, cinders and ash particles within the steam plume can irritate eyes and lungs.
- Be alert when observing lava entering the sea. Second degree burns can occur from hot ocean water near the entry or water splashed by large waves.
Safety First when watching lava enter the sea.
Pua ka uwahi he ahi ko lalao.
Where smoke rises there is fire below.