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There’s Even a Risk of ‘Lava Bombs’

People observe as the Cumbre Vieja volcano spews lava, ash and smoke, in Los Llanos de Aridane, in the Canary Island of La Palma on October 10, 2021.
People observe as the Cumbre Vieja volcano spews lava, ash and smoke, in Los Llanos de Aridane, in the Canary Island of La Palma on October 10, 2021. Photo: Jorge Guerrero/AFP (Getty Images)

The lava-ocean reaction can also be physically dangerous. When lava—which is more than 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius)—meets relatively cooler seawater, it can create an explosion of debris. Known as lava bombs, these projectiles can cause serious injuries.

During the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, nearly two dozen people were injured when a lava bomb hit a tour boat. Authorities have expressed concern that the La Palma eruption could lead to a similarly dangerous situation.