Officials Make Plans As Kilauea Spews Ash, Gasses

HAWAII VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii - Kilauea Volcano is putting on quite a show, but health and Civil Defense officials are concerned about the ash and gasses spewing from Halema`uma`u Crater. Park rangers and officials on Wednesday allowed into a restricted area to see the spectacular eruption.The volcano is spewing a huge plume of gasses and ash. The spectacular and potentially dangerous setting was the backdrop for a news conference.Park rangers, scientists, and public officials gave a briefing on the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater, overlooking the column of ash and smoke.The area is closed to the public. The south and west sections of Crater Rim Road are also closed because of high levels of sulfur dioxide."The 10-fold increase of sulfur dioxide at the summit makes the total output of SO2 double and the increased hazard is that the emission source is much closer to where people breathe and visit," geochemist Jeff Sutton said.So far, trade winds have blown the gasses and ash to the southwest, triggering air quality alerts in the town of Pahala."We know we're dealing with a situation that's exciting and so while scientists say it's exciting, to me it's work," Hawaii Count Mayor Harry Kim said.Officials are monitoring the emissions and making plans in case the wind shifts and the eruption increases.Officials say they do not expect a major eruption. However, they said, while unlikely, it is possible they would have to close the park and evacuate some residents."The volcano is actually in a relaxed state so it doesn't seem like anything is going to happen. It should be passive unless we see inflation or earthquakes occurring," Hawaii Volcano Observatory scientist Jim Kauahikaua said.The top of the ash plume from Halema'uma'u Crater is reaching up to a mile above ground level. Officials notified Hawaii aviation agencies of the potential danger to aircraft.The tower of ash jetted hundreds of feet above the crater has attracted the attention of many tourists and Big Island residents who try to get a glimpse of the event.Despite the health hazard visitors are flocking to the crater for the rare opportunity to witness Pele's power up close.Officials estimated that thousands of visitors are arriving daily to view the eruption. Park officials are trying to allow spectators as close to the action as possible while trying to keep people safe.From Highway 11 outside of Hilo, Pele's lure is drawing visitors to an overlook where you can view Halema`uma`u from afar, but still taste the eruption."The sulfur I can feel it in my lungs," South Carolina visitor Jeremy Aartun said.They come from all over the world, Sweden, French Polynesia and all parts of the mainland."We had planned our trip to see this. Then last week, we saw there was an explosion. We kind of worried they would shut down the whole park-glad to be able to get this far," Aartun said.Scientists measured the sulfur dioxide emission rates recently from the volcano from between 600 tons up to 2,500 tons a day.Mike Freed lives in Pahala, where he has been covered in ash and has to wear a breathing mask."I came up to see it, get a good look. It said in the paper 4,500 tons of S02 a day. I've been breathing that, but it is something amazing," Freed said.The beauty coming from below amazes those who visit the crater's rim."It's like watching the earth form, the beginning of time. Incredible," South Carolina visitor Valerie Aartun said.

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As in the days of Noah....