Posts: 210
Threads: 10
Joined: Mar 2005
Educate me on the formation of lava tubes. I had thought that they formed under the recently cooled crust of the lava and there after allowed the lava underneith to move much faster by insulating it. So, wouldn't the slow moving surface lava have to reach a particular point before a lave tube could form to move quantities of lava there quickly? If so, then we are still waiting for the slow moving flow to make the surface journey 7 miles to Pahoa, Rt 130 or my lot before a tube could form to that point. Or do tubes burrow underground ahead of the surface flow?
Aloha,
Rob L
Aloha,
Rob L
Posts: 2,980
Threads: 177
Joined: Aug 2006
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.
Posts: 6,214
Threads: 354
Joined: Feb 2006
Glen, you are right about the existing tube. The Kaumana Cave in Hilo has remelting formations from when molten lava traveled in the solidified lava tube.
Posts: 210
Threads: 10
Joined: Mar 2005
I don't suppose anyone knows if existing tubes under or near this inundated area go south, west, or over to the Kona side (kidding about the last.)
Aloha,
Rob L
Aloha,
Rob L
Posts: 542
Threads: 41
Joined: Nov 2005
just a thought but why wouldn't the county take a team of D9s and rip/excavate a path for the lava, say a 1/2 mile down stream, to redirect more southerly. They seem to be able to rip up 3 acre lots fairly quickly. I'd suppose they could dig quite deep if they wanted to.
Aloha HADave & Mz P
Hawaiian Acres
The best things in life are free.... or have no interest or payments for one full year.
Posts: 548
Threads: 114
Joined: Jun 2005
I think it is a matter of liability if the county directs the path of lava another way.
Posts: 2,149
Threads: 90
Joined: Feb 2006
Nancy is correct about the liability issues. If they let it go naturally, it is and "Act of God," Madame Pele, or whatever legally invulnerable divine entity you care to name. If the County or State botches it, they would not only look bad, but possibly be liable. Also, intervening to divert the lava would show a level of forethought, technical expertise, and iniative we are not accustomed to seeing from these folks. Yes, there have been some limited, but noteworthy, successes at diverting lava. Sadly, I don't think we can expect to see any here.
Cheers,
Jerry
Posts: 968
Threads: 74
Joined: Aug 2007
diverting lava seems to be taboo with our local government. yes the liabilities are surely tricky, but that is more likely because of the lack of case law than anything else. I wonder how many home owners in all the surrounding subdivisions.. orchidland, paradise park, hawaiian beaches.. would sign a waiver allowing the county to proceed.. without liability.. with lava diversion in a senerio where ainaloa was threatened and the county proposed diverting the lava away from there with an eye towards keeping in a corridor south of ainaloa and then after it crossed 130 south of paradise park, hoping that it would go peacefully to the sea. how many would sign away their right to seek compensation for possible damages from this eruption in the future, if knowing from prior experience that if this eruption were to go on for a long time the flow field will eventually widen and possible encompass one or more of those subdivisions?
Posts: 968
Threads: 74
Joined: Aug 2007
another lava diversion scenario.. what if the county said they would try to blow out the south side of the vent in such a way as to allow the lava to once again flow south. would we be willing to pick up the tab to buy out all those effected, even though there are so few in comparison to the more densely populated areas to the northeast of the vent the impacts could be pretty pricey. would we in mass support diversion if the price was ours to pay? and what if the whole effort failed? would we free the county from any liabilities in the future?
Posts: 2,149
Threads: 90
Joined: Feb 2006
There are also safety and liability issues involved in the actual process of attempting to divert the lava. Whether they use explosives, D-9s, or something else, we are talking about processes that are potentially quite dangerous to the workers. There are probably plenty of daredevils who would jump at the chance and sign a waiver, now that I think about it, though.
