Volcano acting up

[mella l]

The later section from the news article gave me an idea, although it states that the civil defense officials and engineers have the responsibility for diversion, Civil Defense Administrator Troy Kindred, see problems, and said the possibility of diverting the lava is not being actively pursued. (Why not)?
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http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/articl.../?print=on


Several times since August, the sides of the channel have broken and allowed lava to spill out, but the channel always repairs itself, scientists said. Hardened chunks of cooled lava that drop back into the lava stream are carried along until they pile up at the breaches in the channel and plug them up.

However, since the channel is above the surrounding terrain and is directing lava toward a population center, some have wondered if it might be possible to deliberately breach the channel and divert the flow if it threatens the village or highway.

Kauahikaua said that what it would take to breach the channel, and where the ideal place would be to make the breach to steer lava away from populated areas, are questions for civil defense officials and engineers.

Civil Defense Administrator Troy Kindred sees several problems, and said the possibility of diverting the lava is not being actively pursued. Among other things, consideration would need to be given to the cultural implications for Hawaiians, he said.

"There's a lot more things that influence this decision than what might just appear on the surface," he said. "There's a cultural context, and there's a technical context, and whether or not it will work."

Another issue is if the authorities were successful in diverting the flow and then it damaged homes, the authorities bear responsibility for the damage.


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Avalanche control is what came to mind. When snow piles up on slopes here in an unstable fashion, avalanche crews go to work. It works.

If the south is already so damaged can't the state sacrifice the south for the benefit of the overwhelming populations who might perhaps be affected and or in harms way?



mella l

Edited by - mella l on 11/19/2007 08:52:49