Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano erupted in a spectacular display of fountains of lava in 2018, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The series of 12 eruptions, which devastated hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of residents, has puzzled scientists with its unique explosive mechanism that defies conventional volcanic eruption theories.
Volcanologist Leif Karlstrom from the University of Oregon highlights the unusual regularity of the eruptions, shedding light on the atypical nature of the Kīlauea volcano’s outburst. Unlike most volcanic eruptions linked to rising magma pressure or steaming groundwater, the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea showed no significant changes in temperature or chemistry before its explosive display.
Intrigued by the unconventional data, two volcanologists proposed a groundbreaking theory in 2019 suggesting that the eruptions from Kīlauea’s east rift zone could have been triggered by a “stomp rocket” mechanism. This mechanism, likened to a toy rocket propelled by a person stepping on a bladder of air, posits that the collapse of the ground above a lava chamber could have propelled the explosive eruption of gases, rocks, and lava from deep within the earth.
Building on this innovative theory, a team of researchers including Karlstrom, Thelen, and collaborators from various institutions further confirmed the plausibility of the ‘foot stomping’ mechanism. The 2018 events, marked by the movement of magma and underground tunnel formation, coupled with seismic activity, painted a picture of potential collapse triggering an explosive eruption.
The team’s extensive modeling suggests that the collapse of the lava tunnel’s roof following seismic activity could have generated enough pressure underground to result in the observed atmospheric plume shooting several kilometers high. The series of discrete earthquakes leading to the collapse of the volcano’s crust explains the cascading effect culminating in the explosive eruptions.
As scientists delve deeper into understanding the eruption dynamics of Kīlauea in 2018, they are uncovering new insights into volcanic triggers that could have broader implications for future eruption predictions. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, serves as a pivotal opportunity for researchers to learn from the catastrophic events and enhance their preparedness for similar volcanic scenarios.