Hawaii volcano update: Kilauea eruption rains green GEMSTONES over Big Island
HAWAII’S Kilauea volcano is entering a seventh week of eruptions and the list of volcanic hazards looming over Big Island has just grown quite surreal. The residents of Hawaii have now been warned of green gems falling from the sky.
The Hawaii volcano is spewing little green-tinged crystals into the sky with every consecutive Kilauea explosion.
The mineral, called olivine, is being found all over the Hawaiian island - and the volcano is showing no sign of stopping.
US meteorologist Erin Jordan said the skies over Hawaii are “literally raining gems”.
She said: “Friends of mine live in Hawaii right next to the area impacted by the most recent lava flows.
“In the midst of the destruction nearby and stress of the unknown, they woke up to this – tiny pieces of olivine all over the ground.
“It is literally raining gems. Nature is truly amazing.”
Olivine is an incredibly common magnesium iron silicate and one of the most abundant minerals below Earth’s surface.
The green mineral is found in big concentrations in the Earth’s mantle – the source of Kilauea’s energy.
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The mineral is so common it makes up about 50 percent of the Earth’s upper mantle.
It is literally raining gems. Nature is truly amazing
And according to Michael Poland, United States Geological Survey volcanologist, Hawaii’s roads are made from olivine-rich ground up lava rock.
Crystal-grade olivine is often found in jewellery under the name of peridot and chrysolite.
When professionally cut and polished the gemstone gives off a beautiful, bright sheen.
Read more about the mineral here: What is Olivine?
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Cheryl Gansecki, of the University of Hawaii-Hilo, said Kilauea’s lava is very rich in crystals which creates the right conditions for the mineral to rain down.
The geologist said: “It can be carried in the pumice pieces that have rained all over the area.”
Olivine is very common around Hawaii and has transformed some of Big Island’s scenic beaches green over the years.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach on the southern tip of Big Island is a perfect example of Mother Nature’s beauty.
Papakolea is entirely made out of olivine sand and is one of only four green beaches in the world, the others located in Guam, Norway and the Galapagos Islands.