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Ocean entry hazards (from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, 2017) <br />Figure 6. The lava delta (looking south) built by lavas traveling 8 miles from fissure 8 (erupting in the distance). USGS photo <br />taken on June 18, 2018. <br /> <br />Delta collapse <br />The entry of lava into the ocean at Kapoho (fig. 6) has made 6 -km -wide lava delta that now extends up <br />to 800 m (0.5 mi) from the pre -eruption coastline outside Kapoho Bay. As with any lava delta, there is <br />the potential for collapse without warning, which could lead to explosions caused by the interaction of <br />seawater with hot rock exposed by the collapse. <br />Hydrovolcanic explosions <br />Boat tours, as well as observers in the air, have reported hydrovolcanic explosions occurring without <br />warning up to 100 m offshore. These events, which last 10-15 seconds, have been observed rarely, but <br />may occur several times per day. They burst through the water, sending fragments of lava and hot water <br />as high as 25 m up to hundreds of meters. It is likely they are caused by the underwater emplacement of <br />'a'a lava where large amounts of molten lava suddenly come in contact with seawater during collapse of <br />a lava conduit.