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Did heavy rain trigger Kilauea’s eruption? It’s complicated

For about three months, the volcano released as much lava as it normally produces in 10 to 20 years

Kilauea volcano

Two scientists have argued that weeks of heavy rainfall may have triggered volcanic activity at Kilauea in 2018, marked by new fissures opening and sending lava shooting into the air (one fissure shown on May 22).

USGS

By Megan Sever

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

When it rains heavily in Hawaii, lava pours from the volcano Kilauea, according to a new study facing strong scrutiny by some volcanologists.