Lava and Gas Content of Kilauea, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Kilauea volcano is the most active volcano in Hawaiian Islands, Pacific Ocean and is a shield volcano among five volcanos’ that forms the island. Kilauea is also the most active volcano in the whole world that is continuously erupting since 1983. According to studies oldest eruption of volcano took place almost 2800 – 2100 years back (US Geological Survey). Since then Kilauea has erupted several times and studies has found that some changes have occurred in the gas and lava content of volcano. This change of lava content has a major impact on the ecology of mountain side. One change is the increase in silica content. As this volcano increases tourist attraction several people visit the spot to see volcanic eruption. Inhaling of silica dust that comes from the gas emission of volcano can cause diseases like bronchitis, cancer and silicosis for silica deposit in lungs will reduce its capacity. Another change was the increase of K2O content which if inhaled will cause irritation and coughing and is also likely to cause irritation to eyes and skin (Macdonald and Katsura). Hence this change is of great importance with regard to ecology of Kilauea and people visiting the place. This paper aims to analyze the factors that contributed to the change of gas and lava formation of Kilauea over years.

Literature review

It was the 1823 eruption of Kilauea that was first documented and from then onwards this volcano has erupted several times. From January 3, 1983 Kilauea continues to erupt till now and this is the longest activity of the volcano and the longest volcanic eruption in the world. As on January 2011 eruption of Kilauea has resurfaced a land area of 123.2km² and produced lava of 3.5 cubic kilometers (US Geological Survey).

Lava composition of Kilauea has changed from its first eruption to some extent and this has an impact on the ecology of the mountain. Volcanic gases composition depends on various factors and the most important among them is the magma composition and gas melt segregations depth before eruption. Though it is difficult to constrain the depth of gas melt segregation before eruption it is one of the most critical factors that determines style of eruption (Wright).

Lava is the molten rock that flows out during eruption and this is called as magma when it is below the surface of earth. Magma is formed by the melting of solid rocks that pre exist. Melting of pre existing rock can be due to various reasons. One of the reasons is increase of temperature caused by radioactive decay of potassium, thorium and uranium isotopes. These three elements are present in all rocks though in varying amount. On formation of magma it separates from solid rock that is called as source rock and will begin to rise to surface. During its course to surface several processes occurs that has an effect on the chemical composition of magma. Sometimes crystals forms in magma and such crystals are likely to be left behind (Helz1, Kirschenbaum and Marinenko).

Kilauea volcano’s tholeiitic lava flow composition is almost similar and some change is the result of olivine addition or removal. Silica content of basalt of Kilauea was determined during pre historic flows before 1790 and historic flows. For the purpose 24 chemical analyses were conducted and it was found that the average silica content is 50%, where olivine percentage is only few tenths. On the other hand massive flow rocks and minor intrusive rocks show the effect of differentiation that is far more advanced (Wright). Study of rocks collected from Uwekahuna laccolith Kilauea caldera wall shows the silica content to vary from 45.7 to 52.04%. This range is as great as total flows that were analyzed of Kilauea flows. Caldera walls exposed basalt flow of thick augite-olivine’s segregation wall was found to contain SiO₂ in 52.36%. This is Kilauea’s most siliceous tholeiitic differentiate that was found till date. It was also found that the magna is changing its characteristic from tholeiitic to alkali basalt. A proof for this was found when studies proved the increase of K₂O in the magma of Kilauea (Macdonald and Katsura).

This literature review helps to get a clear understanding about the changes that are found in the magma of Kilauea volcano from its previous eruptions to 1959- 60 eruption. It was found that there is an increase in silica and potassium oxide content of magna during this period. Both these chemicals though are essential, is dangerous when exceeds in quantity. Volcano has become one of the biggest tourist attractions and there is a wide ecology surrounding Kilauea. All the living beings are affected by this increase of chemical and it is very harmful if inhaled (Helz1, Kirschenbaum and Marinenko. Care is to be taken in this regard by tourists to take precautions to avoid inhaling chemicals released through gas emitted from volcano.

Biggest strength of previous studies is that they have always made comparison of present changes with historic eruptions. This will help to understand the changes and reasons behind such change that are likely to cause any harm to those visiting the place and ecology surrounding the volcano. Weakness is that none of these studies addresses the issues caused or benefits derived from such changes. Above literature helps to understand the chemical combination and changes associated with it in magna of volcano. Kilauea being the volcano with longest eruption is the best to conduct study. These research studies will help in further studies and in the present research all information about changes were taken from this literature. It also helped the researcher gain a better understanding of research problem by gaining in depth knowledge of subject.

Methodology

Data for the purpose of this research was gathered from previous study reports and data available on internet sources. Reports of government organizations, research study reports, geological institutes and volcano observatory was used for collecting data for this research study. Some of the study reports were journal articles and online access of such journals were used for collecting such data. Other than study reports, journal articles and governmental reports this study also used data collected from Internet sources about the after effect of chemicals that forms as part of changes in magna of Volcano. This was necessary to get an idea about the after effect of such changes and to understand the impact of such chemicals on living beings.

This research does not contain any visit to real site or collection of samples to conduct analysis of lava over years. To get a clear picture of the situation it is always better to collect sample and conduct tests to understand the content of lava at present. Then this result is to be compared with previous research results. In such a system a more accurate data will be derives. But this research is solely based on secondary research and hence all that can be done is a comparison between various studies conducted previously in this regard.

Data was analyzed on the basis of literature review and information gathered from Internet resources about the effect of such changes on living organisms. For analyzing data a comparison was made between various resources and collected literature review. As there was no real visit to site and collection of sample for conducting study research was solely based on secondary data collected from various sources.

Results

It was found from the study that chemical composition of lava changed by a consistent amount over the time period. It was found that this change has occurred due to increase or decrease of olivine in the rocks that melts to form magna. Such addition or reduction of olivine has resulted in the increase of silicon dioxide and potassium oxide in magna. Chemical analysis of lava of 1959 eruption is given in Table 1. It was in this study that increasing level of silicon dioxide and potassium oxide was found. Both of these are also likely to be diffused in to air through the gas that comes out of volcano. If this occurs potassium oxide and silicon dioxide is likely to cause several issues to living beings. On knowing this issue it is likely that number of visitors to this region will reduce in number.

From the research conducted it was found that silicon dioxide and potassium oxide can cause severe effects to biological life causing various diseases. From this study it can also be concluded that content of silicon dioxide and potassium oxide is likely to increase in future if the volcano continues its erosion and thus the damage it causes to biodiversity too will continue to increase in due course of time.

Discussion

Above study clearly indicates that volcanic magna continuously changes in accordance with its chemical content. This result was obtained from data collected from previous study reports and government reports and findings. No visit was conducted to the area and lava was not collected for conducting chemical analysis. All that was done for the purpose of this study was to collect data from secondary resources and compare and contrast such data. None of the data collected reported that there is no change in chemical content of gas and lava of Kilauea volcano. Hence this study solely confirms the results of prior studies.

In the case of Kilauea olivine content of rocks that melt to form lava is the factor that leads to change. If this change continues at present rate it is likely that the area surrounding volcano will become a desert for bio diversity will not be able to survive there. Though lava on cooling forms soil that is very fertile it won’t be possible for any kind of animals to survive in the area. Research results can be applied to find the effect of this change of chemical combination of Kilauea on bio diversity which is very important.

Conclusion

By conducting this research study it was understood that composition of lava and gas coming out of volcano varies according to components of rock that melt to form magna. It was understood that magna of Kilauea has increased in its silicon dioxide and potassium oxide by a great extent and this is harmful to biological life surrounding. Still only very limited research is conducted on the effect of continuous volcanic eruption and change of its chemical content on bio diversity. This study also lacks such details. All that can be said as the strength is the awareness that lava and gas emitted from Kilauea is polluting the environment surrounding it. This study can be applied in further studies on the extent of harm caused by such chemical changes of lava of Kilauea.

References

Helz, Rosalind Tuthill, Herbert Kirschenbaum and John W. Marinenko. “Diapiric Transfer of Melt in Kilauea Iki Lava Lake, Hawaii: A Quick, Efficient Process of Igneous Differentiation.” Geological Society of America Bulletin (1989): 578-594.

MacDonald, G a and Takashi Katsura. Variations in the Lava of the 1959 Eruption in Kilauea Iki! Study Report; University of Hawaii. Hawaii: Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, 1961.

Survey, U.S. Geological. Recent Kilauea Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Daily Update. Hawaii: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, 2013.

Wright, Thomas L. Chemistry of Kilauea and Mauna Loa Lava in Space and Time. United States Government Printing Office. Washington: U.s Department of Interior, 1971.