03-26-2014, 04:42 AM
The county Civil Defense has often voiced their main lava safety (as per people, not property) is the SW rift zone of Mauna Kea [ errr...Loa (Thanks KH...can I blame my cat, `Elle Kea, for waling on the keyboard!)]
They have had many planning meetings for that area, trying to make sure all residents are aware of the early eruptive signs & to take immediate and appropriate action for safety.
The reports of the 1950 eruptive event can highlight that... 3 hour flow window for a high volume lava flow to go from rift to ocean.... with the rift opening up along miles...
This is not to say that other areas have any less chance of danger of a lava flow, but with the topography & current flow characteristics of the SW Mauna Loa rift, it has soo much volume & has a history of very fast movement rift to ocean.. and concern for life safety is the main concern for Civil Defense...
They have had many planning meetings for that area, trying to make sure all residents are aware of the early eruptive signs & to take immediate and appropriate action for safety.
The reports of the 1950 eruptive event can highlight that... 3 hour flow window for a high volume lava flow to go from rift to ocean.... with the rift opening up along miles...
This is not to say that other areas have any less chance of danger of a lava flow, but with the topography & current flow characteristics of the SW Mauna Loa rift, it has soo much volume & has a history of very fast movement rift to ocean.. and concern for life safety is the main concern for Civil Defense...