Scientists might have found the mechanism behind the unusual explosive eruptions seen at one of the most active volcanoes in the world - Kilauea.

The Big Island's Kilauea volcano, part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, in 2018 erupted over a dozen times in a way scientists compared to a child's stomp rocket – a toy where you stomp to launch a rocket skyward.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ufos-spotted-now-japans-parliamentary-group-will-figure-out-what-they-are-726474">UFOs spotted! Now Japan's parliamentary group will figure out what they are</a>

This distinctive behaviour was explained in a recent paper published in Nature Geosciences.

According to lead researcher Josh Crozier, a geologist at Stanford University, this unusual eruptive style likely worsened the impact of the 2018 lava flow, which devastated over 600 properties.

The eruptions sometimes up to 30 feet high were uncommon because explosive eruptions are typically driven by either rising molten rock -- magma -- or by expanding steam from magma heating underground water.&nbsp;

The stomp-rocket toy mechanism geologists believe caused the 2018 eruptions likely stemmed from the collapse of the magma reservoir, which suddenly increased the pressure of gas trapped in the chamber and led to an explosive eruption.

Geologist Josh Crozier explains that a combination of seismic and geodetic instruments captured a significant and sudden swelling of the ground near the magma chamber. Additionally, infrasound readings, which track low-frequency sounds, indicated a decrease in air pressure.

"It's really quite different from a typical spectrum of groundwater-driven, magma-driven eruptions," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-eyes-on-rafah-picks-up-steam-on-social-media-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-its-origins-726573">'All Eyes On Rafah'&nbsp;picks up steam on social media. Here's all you need to know about its origin</a>

The unusual eruptions at Kilauea have been witnessed as early as the 1920s, which began a series of large explosive eruptions, said Crozier, who conducted the study during his time with the US Geological Survey.

In 2018, the extra explosive activity at the summit helped drive the heavy outpouring of the magma, Crozier said. The lava then poured along the east rift zone of the volcano, damaging hundreds of homes on its path towards the ocean, he added.

Similar eruptions at Kilauea could occur in the future, but it would be "highly unlikely" in the next decade, Crozier said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists might have found the mechanism behind the unusual explosive eruptions seen at one of the most active volcanoes in the world - Kilauea. The Big Island's Kilauea volcano, part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, in 2018 erupted over a dozen times in a way scientists compared to a child's stomp rocket – a toy where you stomp to launch a rocket skyward.

Scientists might have found the mechanism behind the unusual explosive eruptions seen at one of the most active volcanoes in the world - Kilauea. The Big Island's Kilauea volcano, part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, in 2018 erupted over a dozen times in a way scientists compared to a child's stomp rocket – a toy where you stomp to launch a rocket skyward. Also read: UFOs spotted! Now Japan's parliamentary group will figure out what they are This distinctive behaviour was explained in a recent paper published in Nature Geosciences. According to lead researcher Josh Crozier, a geologist at Stanford University, this unusual eruptive style likely worsened the impact of the 2018 lava flow, which devastated over 600 properties. The eruptions sometimes up to 30 feet high were uncommon because explosive eruptions are typically driven by either rising molten rock -- magma -- or by expanding steam from magma heating underground water. The stomp-rocket toy mechanism geologists believe caused the 2018 eruptions likely stemmed from the collapse of the magma reservoir, which suddenly increased the pressure of gas trapped in the chamber and led to an explosive eruption. Geologist Josh Crozier explains that a combination of seismic and geodetic instruments captured a significant and sudden swelling of the ground near the magma chamber. Additionally, infrasound readings, which track low-frequency sounds, indicated a decrease in air pressure. "It's really quite different from a typical spectrum of groundwater-driven, magma-driven eruptions," he said. Also read: 'All Eyes On Rafah' picks up steam on social media. Here's all you need to know about its origin The unusual eruptions at Kilauea have been witnessed as early as the 1920s, which began a series of large explosive eruptions, said Crozier, who conducted the study during his time with the US Geological Survey. In 2018, the extra explosive activity at the summit helped drive the heavy outpouring of the magma, Crozier said. The lava then poured along the east rift zone of the volcano, damaging hundreds of homes on its path towards the ocean, he added. Similar eruptions at Kilauea could occur in the future, but it would be "highly unlikely" in the next decade, Crozier said. (With inputs from agencies)

Kilauea volcano could erupt like a 'stomp-rocket toy', says study

Lava from a volcanic eruption approached the airport of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's main city of Goma.

Massive volcano erupts in eastern Congo

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-tsunami-death-toll-climbs-to-222-over-800-injured-185999">Indonesia tsunami: Death toll climbs to 222, over 800 injured</a>

The death toll from a volcano-triggered tsunami in Indonesia has climbed to 222 with over 800 people injured, news agency AFP reported.

"222 people are dead, 843 people are injured and 28 people are missing," Indonesia's national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-leader-replaces-top-security-chiefs-in-major-shake-up-186004">Afghanistan President Ghani replaces top security chiefs in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-leader-replaces-top-security-chiefs-in-major-shake-up-186004">major</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-leader-replaces-top-security-chiefs-in-major-shake-up-186004"> shake-up</a>

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday replaced two of the country's top security chiefs with staunch anti-Taliban officials, in a major shake-up days after US President Donald Trump's decision to slash troop numbers in the country.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/group-of-11-women-devotees-return-from-sabarimala-amid-intensifying-protests-186015">Group of 11 women devotees return from Sabarimala amid intensifying protests&nbsp;</a>

Special Officer, Law and Order in Pampa on Sunday stated that 11 women devotees, who had come to offer prayers at Sabarimala temple, have returned now, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/8-taliban-militants-killed-in-afghanistan-185979">Eight Taliban terrorists killed in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/8-taliban-militants-killed-in-afghanistan-185979">clash</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/8-taliban-militants-killed-in-afghanistan-185979"> with security forces in Afghanistan</a>

As many as eight Taliban militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Herat province in western Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday.

Ziarat Shah Abed, a top commander in Herat, was quoted by TOLOnews as saying that the skirmish occurred in Shayan village of Obe district in Herat when the Taliban launched an attack at an army check-post.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-recommends-army-generals-dismissal-hed-played-crucial-role-in-surgical-strike-185982">Army </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-recommends-army-generals-dismissal-hed-played-crucial-role-in-surgical-strike-185982">court martial</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-recommends-army-generals-dismissal-hed-played-crucial-role-in-surgical-strike-185982"> recommends Major General's dismissal over alleged sexual harassment</a>

An Army General Court Martial (GCM) on Sunday recommended the dismissal of a Major General from service over a two-year-old sexual harassment case.

News agency ANI quoted sources as saying that the Army General has been charged under section 354A of the IPC and Army Act 45.

Indonesia tsunami: Death toll climbs to 222, over 800 injured The death toll from a volcano-triggered tsunami in Indonesia has climbed to 222 with over 800 people injured, news agency AFP reported.

Indonesia tsunami: Death toll climbs to 222, over 800 injured The death toll from a volcano-triggered tsunami in Indonesia has climbed to 222 with over 800 people injured, news agency AFP reported. "222 people are dead, 843 people are injured and 28 people are missing," Indonesia's national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. Afghanistan President Ghani replaces top security chiefs in major shake-up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday replaced two of the country's top security chiefs with staunch anti-Taliban officials, in a major shake-up days after US President Donald Trump's decision to slash troop numbers in the country. Group of 11 women devotees return from Sabarimala amid intensifying protests Special Officer, Law and Order in Pampa on Sunday stated that 11 women devotees, who had come to offer prayers at Sabarimala temple, have returned now, news agency ANI reported. Eight Taliban terrorists killed in clash with security forces in Afghanistan As many as eight Taliban militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Herat province in western Afghanistan, officials said on Sunday. Ziarat Shah Abed, a top commander in Herat, was quoted by TOLOnews as saying that the skirmish occurred in Shayan village of Obe district in Herat when the Taliban launched an attack at an army check-post. Army court martial recommends Major General's dismissal over alleged sexual harassment An Army General Court Martial (GCM) on Sunday recommended the dismissal of a Major General from service over a two-year-old sexual harassment case. News agency ANI quoted sources as saying that the Army General has been charged under section 354A of the IPC and Army Act 45.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-tsunami-death-toll-climbs-to-222-over-800-injured-185999">volcano that triggered a deadly tsunami </a>in Indonesia late Saturday emerged from the sea around the legendary Krakatau 90 years ago and has been on a high-level eruption watchlist for the past decade.

Anak Krakatau (the "Child of Krakatau") has been particularly active since June, occasionally sending massive plumes of ash high into the sky and in October a tour boat was nearly hit by lava bombs from the erupting volcano.

Experts say Anak Krakatau emerged around 1928 in the caldera of Krakatau, a volcanic island that violently erupted in 1883.

With subsequent lava flows it grew from a submarine setting to become a small volcanic island, with the cone now standing at an altitude of around 300 metres (1,000 feet) above sea level.

Since its birth, Anak Krakatau has been in a "state of semi-continuous eruptive activity", growing bigger as it experiences eruptions every two to three years, volcanology professor Ray Cas from Monash University in Australia told AFP.

"Most of the eruptions are relatively small on the scale of explosive eruptions ... and there's also eruptions that produce lava flows," he added.

Cas said the latest event appeared to be "a relatively small explosive eruption" but could then have triggered or coincided with a submarine event like a landslide or earthquake, causing the deadly tsunami.

No one lives on the island, but the peak is popular with tourists and is a major study area for volcanologists.

The island is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park, "demonstrating on-going evolution of geological processes", since the Krakatau eruption, UNESCO says on its World Heritage site listing for the area.

When Krakatau erupted on August 27, 1883 it shot a column of ash more than 20 kilometres (12 miles) into the air in a series of powerful explosions that were heard in Australia and up to 4,500 kilometres away near Mauritius.

The massive cloud of ash plunged the area into darkness for two days. The dust gave rise to spectacular sunsets and sunrises around the world the following year and disrupted weather patterns for years.

The tsunami triggered by the eruption killed more than 36,000 people in one of the world's worst natural disasters.

Indonesia's proximity to the junction of three continental plates, which jostle under immense pressure, makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and eruptions.

The archipelago nation has nearly 130 active volcanoes, forming part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire" -- an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

The volcano that triggered a deadly tsunami in Indonesia late Saturday emerged from the sea around the legendary Krakatau 90 years ago and has been on a high-level eruption watchlist for the past decade.

The volcano that triggered a deadly tsunami in Indonesia late Saturday emerged from the sea around the legendary Krakatau 90 years ago and has been on a high-level eruption watchlist for the past decade. Anak Krakatau (the "Child of Krakatau") has been particularly active since June, occasionally sending massive plumes of ash high into the sky and in October a tour boat was nearly hit by lava bombs from the erupting volcano. Experts say Anak Krakatau emerged around 1928 in the caldera of Krakatau, a volcanic island that violently erupted in 1883. With subsequent lava flows it grew from a submarine setting to become a small volcanic island, with the cone now standing at an altitude of around 300 metres (1,000 feet) above sea level. Since its birth, Anak Krakatau has been in a "state of semi-continuous eruptive activity", growing bigger as it experiences eruptions every two to three years, volcanology professor Ray Cas from Monash University in Australia told AFP. "Most of the eruptions are relatively small on the scale of explosive eruptions ... and there's also eruptions that produce lava flows," he added. Cas said the latest event appeared to be "a relatively small explosive eruption" but could then have triggered or coincided with a submarine event like a landslide or earthquake, causing the deadly tsunami. No one lives on the island, but the peak is popular with tourists and is a major study area for volcanologists. The island is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park, "demonstrating on-going evolution of geological processes", since the Krakatau eruption, UNESCO says on its World Heritage site listing for the area. When Krakatau erupted on August 27, 1883 it shot a column of ash more than 20 kilometres (12 miles) into the air in a series of powerful explosions that were heard in Australia and up to 4,500 kilometres away near Mauritius. The massive cloud of ash plunged the area into darkness for two days. The dust gave rise to spectacular sunsets and sunrises around the world the following year and disrupted weather patterns for years. The tsunami triggered by the eruption killed more than 36,000 people in one of the world's worst natural disasters. Indonesia's proximity to the junction of three continental plates, which jostle under immense pressure, makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and eruptions. The archipelago nation has nearly 130 active volcanoes, forming part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire" -- an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Indonesia's angry 'Child of Krakatau' was on high-level eruption watchlist for past decade

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