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You can interpret this scientifically or spiritually, but can Pele be stopped? What kind of technology would be required to quell eruptions, or at least redirect them harmlessly to the sea? Is there anything in Hawaiian mythology that could stop Pele?
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Most attempts at lava diversion have failed, but the Italians have had some limited success with barrier diversion of lava on Mt. Aetna in Sicily. Here is a link to a BBC piece on this subject, appropriately (or perhaps ironically) written during the 2014 Pahoa scare:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29136747
I recall during the 2014 episode that local and state officials rejected diversion for two reasons. One was the legal liability of diverting a flow from one area, only to have it destroy property in another place that would otherwise have been safe. The other reason was fear of offending the cultural sensibilities of some Native Hawaiians. All that did not stop one guy in Pahoa from building a berm on private property, though.
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Why would you want to?
This question could also be framed as "Can Hurricane Alley be cured?"
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"Can Hurricane Alley be cured?"
Yes. Stop issuing building permits and forcing insurers to write policies.
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To prevent loss of life and property. To put the lava where we want it. To master the forces of nature. For man and technology to ascend above the mythical gods once and for all.
Imagine a future where we channel excess lava into forms, building giant floating islands. Or use it to create seabreaks and artificial reef. Or aerated blocks for building. Or more directly harvest its energy to power our island? So many possibilities.
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Vestmannaeyjar iceland, 1973. 13,000 tons of sea water an hour to stop the flows. In 24 hours the water cools the same amount of lava that would normally take a year to cool in air. But in the end lava reached the town, burned about 300 houses then just stopped.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbsEWj5qpD4
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To prevent loss of life and property.
Easy: don't build there.
a future where we channel excess lava
Such science experiments include risks which are explicitly accepted by the experimentors, which is completely different than a real estate agent selling you a "lovely home" with an insurance company offering "coverage of risk".
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quote:
Originally posted by randomq
or at least redirect them harmlessly to the sea?
According to the NEWS, the resulting “laze” isn’t exactly harmless.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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The power of Pele is greater than all of us! we must make offerings of gin and cigars until her wrath is appeased.
Aloha
Aloha