User:Penitentes/Lava diversion
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Lava diversion methods are used to alter the speed and course of lava flows so as to reduce their detrimental effects, such as the destruction of human settlements and infrastructure.
Attempts have been made to divert lava flows since...
Most efforts to divert lava flows have been unsuccessful. Those that succeeded did so only with large expenditures of effort, money, and time.
Challenges[edit]
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory stresses that the successful lava diversion efforts in Italy and Iceland "required costly and time-consuming efforts for months at a time".[1]
Lava is too dense for common barrier methods, such as the jersey barrier, to be effective.[2] A lava flow diverted away from one area may threaten another area as a consequence.[2]
Lava diversion also faces opposition for cultural or religious reasons.
History[edit]
Pre-20th century[edit]
In 1669, Mount Etna
In 1881, Mauna Loa erupted on the island of Hawaii and lava flows threatened the community of Hilo. Residents attempted to stem the flow with walls built out of rock. When those failed, local authorities considered using a pile of gunpowder to cause an explosion at the head of the lava flow. The eruption ceased before such attempts became necessary.[3][4]
20th century[edit]
In November of 1935, a summit eruption began at Mauna Loa. A vent opened on the mountain's northern flanks, and a pāhoehoe lava flow ensued. The flow stalled in a flat area of terrain for several weeks, but eventually it reached steeper ground, where it traveled up to one mile (1.6 km) per day and threatened to impinge upon the Wailuku River (part of the water supply for the city of Hilo). Thomas Jaggar, the founder and director of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, called on the Army Air Corps to bomb the lava flow in the hopes of... collapsing lava tubes and reducing the ability of the flow to advance.[5][3][6]
In 1942 the method was repeated.[3]
In 1959 walls built at Mauna Loa https://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02599351
In 1973 the Icelandic harbor of... explosives were planned[7]
In 1983 trials at Etna[4]
In 1984 Hilo was threatened again, and bombing was considered as a contingency plan.[3]
In 1992 lava diversion efforts occurred on Mount Etna
21st century[edit]
In 2018, Sinabung lava diversion channels https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/living-in-the-shadow-of-mount-sinabung/
In 2021 in La Palma earthmoving efforts were unsuccessful https://english.elpais.com/spain/2021-09-22/despite-diversion-efforts-wall-of-lava-reaches-more-homes-after-la-palma-volcano-eruption.html
In 2021, Eldfell in Iceland https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2021/05/16/iceland-to-build-defensive-wall-against-lava/?sh=64449d851318
Following the late 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa, as lava flows threatened to cross Daniel K. Inouye Highway/Saddle Road officials discussed the possibility of diverting the flow. Officials and experts such as governor David Ige and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Ken Hon, deemed such efforts difficult to impossible given the terrain and the volume of lava.[8] The lava flows ultimately never reached the highway.[citation needed]
Sources[edit]
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29136747
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02600367
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/037702739390048V
https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/1942-eruption-of-mauna-loa.htm
https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-did-aerial-bombing-stop-1935-mauna-loa-lava-flow
https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-old-bombs-found-mauna-loa-rest-story-part-1
https://www.usgs.gov/center-news/volcano-watch-old-bombs-found-mauna-loa-rest-story-part-2
References[edit]
- ^ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (December 25, 2014). "Volcano Watch — What does it take to successfully divert a lava flow?". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Vera, Amir (May 8, 2018). "People have tried to stop lava from flowing. This is why they failed". CNN. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Andrews, Robin George (March 12, 2020). "The Army Bombed a Hawaiian Lava Flow. It Didn't Work". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Andrews, Robin George (October 27, 2021). "Why the U.S. once bombed an erupting volcano". National Geographic. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ "1935 Eruption of Mauna Loa". Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. National Park Service. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (September 8, 2016). "Volcano Watch — Jaggar's prediction comes true—the 1935 eruption of Mauna Loa". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Sullivan, Walter (1973-03-04). "BLAST TO DIVERT ICELAND LAVA OFF". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ Hurley, Timothy (December 1, 2022). "Lava slows on Mauna Loa, but busy highway vulnerable". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.