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Third Kalapana home razed by lava

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Lava has destroyed another home in Kalapana Gardens.

Flows from Kilauea Volcano reached the quonset-style structure about 11 p.m. Monday and all that was left by 8 a.m. was the metal skeleton.

It was the third home in Kalapana Gardens area to be destroyed in six months; lava rolled over neighboring houses in July and November. More than two dozen houses remain standing in the area.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the Nov. 29 flow (1,200 ft elevation tube breach) was still active Tuesday in two main branches, each branch continued to host scattered breakouts. The western branch may have stalled.

In Kalapana, the lowest active lobes of the eastern branch were inflating and slowly advancing southward through a kipuka, in which lava-induced fires sometimes burned and methane blasts were possible, and was about 100 m (330 ft) from the coast Tuesday morning.

The lava deltas and adjacent areas both inland and out to sea are some of the most hazardous areas on the flow field. Delta/bench collapses give little warning, can produce hot rock falls inland and in the adjacent coastal waters, and can produce large local waves.

The steam plume produced by lava entering the ocean contains fine lava fragments, toxic gases, and an assortment of acid droplets that can be harmful to your health. The rapidly changing conditions near the ocean entry have been responsible for many injuries and a few deaths.

Kalapana Gardens is a private subdivision and access will only be granted to subdivision residents. Private property borders highway 130 through Kalapana, and visitors to the Hawaii County Lava Viewing Area are not allowed access off the highway easement.

Hawaii County Lava Viewing Area status can be found by calling 961-8093.

One Response to “Third Kalapana home razed by lava”

  1. Bob says:

    Its too bad many of the so called volcano photographers down there wouldn’t leave her alone and stay off of her property. Too many out for glory thinking they are somebody. You know who you are and so does everyone else.

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