Kilauea's Unique 'Stomp-Rocket' Eruptions Unveiled
The 2018 Kīlauea eruption in Hawaiʻi, which destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands, may represent a new type of volcanic mechanism. Researchers suggest that the eruptions were triggered by a "stomp rocket" effect, where the collapse of the ground above a lava chamber caused gases, rock, and lava to be forcefully expelled. This novel understanding could help scientists better predict and prepare for future volcanic events.