EXPRESS: Hawaii volcano eruption: Toxic gas could CHOKE residents as lava flow crashes into sea

Description

Over the weekend the lava flow crashed into the sea and volcanologist Mike Burton, at Manchester University, has warned about the dangers of gas that could be emitted.

Speaking to BBC News, he said: “I have done throughout my career I have done measurements of these volcanic gases, so I have been in these volcanic plumes.

“It is really unpleasant, you have got this hydrogen chloride so it’s a chloride gas and sulphur dioxide.

“In particular the sulphur dioxide gas is coming out all the time form the lava flows which we have been seeing.

“But in particular on Kilauea, it is when the lava reaches the sea when it can react with salt. Sodium chloride in the sea, that releases chlorine and becomes hydrogen chloride gas.

“It is really very unpleasant when you are walking in it. You can feel it’s difficult to breathe. If you have got asthma it is a real big problem.

“I think there was one casualty from breathing gas a few months ago but it is really quite rare, people can just move away if the gas gets too much but it can be a feeling of panic when you have got the gas in your lungs.”