Satellite Photos Show Spread of Lava in Hawaii

Satellite imagery from space shows how widespread lava from the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has spread.

The European Space Agency released a May 23 photograph from its Sentinel-2 satellite showing the bright orange lava, and NASA’s Earth Observatory distributed a nighttime view of the lava flows.

Lava from the volcano has reached a geothermal power plant on the Big Island, and officials fear the release of the poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide should it hit the wells. Kilauea has become more active over the last three weeks, and lava flows have spread over 2,372 acres. The volcano is erupting from two locations, and blew its top on May 17. 

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