Summary
9 December 2011
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano attracts two million tourists every year, who photograph its spectacular lava rivers. But scientists have discovered explosive eruptions have been far more common through Kilauea's history. If that behaviour returns, it could have implications for Hawaii's economy.
Reporter
Jonathan Amos
Kilauea's lava flows running into the ocean are a tourist attraction
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Report
There's no doubting Kilauea's beauty. Its frequent lava flows running down to the ocean's edge are a big attraction.
But scientists say their latest research indicates that explosive eruptions of ash and rock have been far more common in the past than the gentle, photogenic outflows seen today.
By studying the charred remains of plants caught up in historic blasts, they've established that Kilauea's more violent mode has dominated the last 2,500 years.
A classic example was 1790, when the volcano hurled rock and ash at island inhabitants, killing many hundreds of people. The event remains the most lethal known eruption in America.
Scientists say it's not possible to predict if this violent behaviour will return but should it come back, large parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park would be off-limits for a long time.
Scientists say there should be ample warning of a change in behaviour so it's not something local people should worry about just now.
Jonathan Amos, 大象传媒 News
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Vocabulary
- no doubting
no questioning of the truthfulness (of something)
- lava flows
continuous movement of lava in the form of a river
- gentle
mild and soft
- outflows
outpour
- the charred remains
matter reduced to charcoal after being burnt
- violent mode
behaviour marked by great force and intensity
- lethal
deadly
- to predict
to say something will happen before it does
- off-limits
area not to be entered, of limited access
- warning
message indicating impending danger
