Updated
Molten lava from the erupting Kilauea volcano on
Hawaii's Big Island is creeping towards a geothermal power plant site,
as workers rush to shut down the facility to prevent the uncontrollable
release of toxic gases.
Key points:
- A County spokeswoman said the lava had stalled at a berm on the property's boundary
- The plant has been closed since the May 3 eruption
- Workers have already moved 227,124 litres of pentane
Crews worked into the night to cap the 11th and final well at the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) plant, which provides about 25 per cent of the Big Island's power, as lava from an active fissure flowed around 250 metres from the nearest well pad, county and federal officials said.
"County, state, and federal partners have been collaborating closely to monitor the situation and work with PGV to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities," the county said.
Hawaii County spokeswoman Janet Snyder said the lava had stalled behind a berm on the property boundary.
The race at the site marked the latest challenge facing authorities as they cope with what geologists rank as one of the biggest upheavals in a century from one of the world's most active volcanoes.
The latest explosive eruption at the Kilauea summit occurred shortly before 6pm local time, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported.
"The resulting ash plume may affect surrounding areas," it said.
The plant has been closed since shortly after lava began erupting on May 3 through newly opened fissures in the ground running through neighbourhoods and roads on the far eastern flank of Kilauea.
Within a week, some 227,124 litres of the highly flammable chemical pentane, which was stored at the plant, was moved from harm's way.
The state said last week it was pumping cold water into the wells and would cap them with iron plugs.
The plant's wells run 1,829-2,438 metres underground to tap into extremely hot water and steam used to run turbines and produce electricity.
Reuters
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