Lava Flow Nears Hawaii Geothermal Plant’s – Risking Deadly Gas Release
Hawaiian officials on Monday said they were responding to reports of lava from the Kilauea volcano nearing the Big Island's geothermal plant, which could result in the release of dangerous gases and mandatory evacuations.
Hawaii News Now reported that no wells at the 815-acre Puna Geothermal Venture’s property were threatened, but warned that if lava reaches a well it could cause the release of hydrogen sulfide, which is a dangerous gas.
The Puna Geothermal Venture, known as PGV, is a "geothermal energy conversion plant bringing steam and hot liquid up through underground wells," according to the Hawaiian Electric Company. It provides 25 percent of the power to the Big Island, Reuters reported.
