When hot lava touches the ocean, it evaporates some water, forming an impressive steam plume, and heats the surface water to temperatures capable of causing third-degree burns. Chloride in the sea salt combines with hydrogen in the water to form hydrochloric acid in the plumes. The plume cloud also contains tiny glass fragments that can irritate the eyes and, in rare cases, cause permanent damage. Onshore winds can blow the steam plume from lava entering the ocean into the path of hikers, creating a whiteout. This plume hides deep cracks in the middle ground of the photograph.
Onshore winds can blow steam plumes onto the land, causing visibility to be limited.
This can be disorienting and could cause you to walk into risky areas. Move away from a whiteout when the winds shift. Heavy rain can also produce dense fog that limits visibility. K lauea emits about 2,000 tons of sulfur dioxide each day during eruption, now mainly from the still-open vent at Pu'u ' ' . Trade winds commonly disperse the volcano's gases, so that the concentration is not generally hazardous.