Threat to Pahoa?!

[Kelena]

I think what happens is the lava is in a channel, as it is now, and then the sides of the channel get higher, as they are now, and eventually they develop a crust over the top. That allows the lava to stay warmer and to travel further. I think the process repeats itself. I don't think you need the lava to reach a certain end point before it develops a tube. I think the tube can develop at any time and then the lava crusts over, allowing it to go further....and repeat the process. I guess, theoretically, it could also find an EXISTING tube. Not sure about that, though.

I am the rankest of rank amateurs though, so perhaps one of the experts will weigh in. I don't understand why tubes are empty, for example.

I hope we all don't have to become experts.