Fascinating\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Breathtaking\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
Scary\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n
And wow.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n It\u2019s getting hot in Hawaii.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s talk first about what\u2019s actually happening; second, let\u2019s add a few, farther-reaching thoughts, briefly reflecting upon the \u201cfascinating, breathtaking, scary, and wow.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Have you noticed the remarkable<\/i> images recently hailing from Hawaii\u2019s biggest island? As reported by Ars Technica (which is far more \u201ctechnica\u201d than moi), <\/i>which routinely offers colloquial, scientific insight and opinion, describing the Big Island of Hawai\u02bbi:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 There are five individual volcanoes that make up the island. Of those five, K\u012blauea is the youngest, comprising the southeastern edge of the island. K\u012blauea\u2019s summit is home to a collapsed crater called Halema\u02bbuma\u02bbu Crater. In 2008, a new vent appeared in the floor of the crater, which has hosted a lake of roiling lava ever since.<\/i><\/p>\n Volcanic activity also takes place along a straight southwest-northeast line known as the East Rift Zone. In 1983, eruptions produced Pu\u2018u \u2018\u014c\u2018\u014d Crater, which also hosts a lava lake. Eruptions of lava have continued intermittently in the East Rift Zone ever since\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n Almost four weeks ago, it became clear something could be brewing. The number of small earthquakes within the volcano\u2014produced by the movement of magma\u2014ramped up. And as the lava lake at Halema\u02bbuma\u02bbu began rising, precise satellite and ground sensor measurements showed that K\u012blauea was inflating\u2014clear signs that some fresh magma had been delivered. Eruptions don\u2019t always follow volcano inflation, but it\u2019s a darn good sign that the risk has increased\u2026\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n The U.S. Geological Center is watching closely. Multiple homes have already been destroyed and some 2,000 residents have evacuated, as earthquakes continue, sulfur dioxide is entering the air, and at least 20 fissures have now been reported; note that fissure #17 is said to be several hundred yards long.<\/i> \u201cNo matter what they number them,\u201d reports CNN, \u201cfor residents, the fissures just mean more reasons to run.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens next?\u201d asks observers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Experts are uncertain how much longer this could continue; eruptions from the existing fissures or from new ones may drag on. However, there is intensifying concern that an explosion similar to K\u012blauea\u2019s 1924 eruption could soon take place.<\/i> The 1924 explosion launched boulders as big as 14 tons<\/i> into the air\u2026 and there was very little warning.<\/i><\/p>\n So back to adding a few, farther-reaching thoughts\u2026<\/p>\n Most of us watching this event unfold are not watching from the nation\u2019s 50th state. In fact, Hawai\u02bbi is only one of the five islands of Hawaii, and only approximately, 10 square miles have thus far been affected. Hence, airlines and hotels are reporting few cancellations, and the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau is still actively encouraging tourists to come. The eruptions don’t seem to be significantly disrupting the island’s tourism industry.<\/p>\n So how do we respond when we see these remarkable images? \u2026 images of mounting steam, spewing spatter bombs, and lava with a fluvial flow?<\/p>\n Fascinating\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n Breathtaking\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n But it\u2019s fascinating and breathtaking when removed from the situation. The potential damage and harm only affects a percentage that\u2019s few. Hence, we are sometimes numb to the \u201cscary,\u201d instead more aware of the \u201cwow.\u201d<\/p>\n I wonder where else we do that. When a situation doesn\u2019t directly affect us, where does our awareness of the seriousness of a situation dissipate?<\/p>\n Maybe that\u2019s a quieter, far humbler \u201cwow\u201d\u2026<\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fascinating\u2026 Breathtaking\u2026 Scary\u2026 And wow.\u00a0 It\u2019s getting hot in Hawaii. Let\u2019s talk first about what\u2019s actually happening; second, let\u2019s add a few, farther-reaching thoughts, briefly reflecting upon the \u201cfascinating, breathtaking, scary, and wow.\u201d Have you noticed the remarkable images recently hailing from Hawaii\u2019s biggest island? As reported by Ars Technica (which is far more \u201ctechnica\u201d … <\/p>\n