HAWAII — At least 26 homes have been destroyed by Hawaii’s Kilauea eruption, which began last week and is still ongoing.<br /><br />But according to Earther, next to violent volcanic eruptions in places like Iceland, the U.S. or the Philippines, Kilauea’s is actually rather gentle.<br /><br />One of the main reasons for this, according to Oregon State University, is magma composition.<br /><br />The Hawaiian islands sit atop a hotspot on the Pacific Plate, which has magma that’s low in silica, and therefore less viscous.<br /><br />Volcanic gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and water vapor can more easily escape in this type of magma. There’s little pressure buildup, resulting in an effusive eruption.<br /><br />Other volcanoes, such as those on the Pacific Ring of Fire, typically occur where the oceanic plates meet the silica-rich continental plates.<br /><br />The high silica content results in highly viscous magma, which traps gas bubbles and causes the buildup of pressure that then results in explosive eruptions.<br /><br />According to a Denison University volcanologist, it’s possible groundwater can mix with the iron-rich lava in Hawaii to create more boom.<br /><br />That hasn’t happened...yet, and for the islanders’ sake, here’s hoping it never does.
