By Sid Perkins
As of Jan. 3, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano has been erupting continuously for 2 decades. During that period, this Energizer Bunny of volcanic activity has repaved more than 110 square kilometers of mountainside, as well as 13 km of local highways.
Lava that has flowed 10 km or more to reach the Pacific has created about 2.2 km&³2; of new oceanfront property and black-sand beaches. At some spots along the coast, hardened lava is 25 meters thick. In all, Kilauea has coughed up more than 2.3 cubic kilometers of molten rock since 1983.