Rangers, geologists urge safety at lava flow; 8 acres of new land created in past three weeks

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK — The journey starts deep within the Earth and ends in one spectacular collision.

On the southeast coast of Hawaii Island, molten rock continues to spill into the Pacific Ocean, creating billowing clouds of steam and adding new land to the rugged coastline.

“It’s incredible,” said Matthieu Brun of France, while watching the ocean entry Tuesday. “Lava and the ocean, the two opposites.”

That view changes by the day.

About eight acres of new land has been created since the Kamokuna ocean entry — the first since August 2013 — started three weeks ago, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. That adds to the 444 acres of new land remaining from lava flows entering the ocean in the area since 1986.

Read more: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/volcano-update/rangers-geologists-urge-safety-lava-flow-8-acres-new-land-created-past-three