Volcanic eruption caused by torrential rain

摘要

THE huge eruption of Kilauea volcano on Hawaii in 2018 was triggered by extremely heavy rains, according to a new analysis. The water caused pressure to build up deep inside the volcano, fracturing the rock and allowing hot magma to rise. The finding bolsters the idea that rainfall can affect volcanoes and thus that climate change could lead to more eruptions. Kilauea began erupting at the end of April 2018, when the floor of its lava lake collapsed. The volcano crumbled and huge volumes of magma flowed over the landscape, eventually reaching the coast. The eruption continued for months.