Volcano      protection program

 Hi Karis and Cassie, 

 Here are my thoughts on your possible solution.  There are some drawbacks, especially here on the Big Island.

  One , the ground where the lava flows is all rock. No dirt or very little. So any excavation here is very costly.

  It takes eons of erosion to make soil. Some volcanic vents here put out gas and cinders only, and that can turn into soil but that takes hundreds of years as well to break the cinder down and cinder vents are the exception and not at all common.

  The monetary impact of spending millions to dig tunnels outweigh the ability to move away from the lava and there for makes excavation economically unfeasible.

  We do have a civil defense warning system here near any metropolitan area that consists of sirens on towers and civil defense warnings are broadcast simultaneously on all radio and TV stations . And to be for warned of a possible eruption is best but scientists have not yet developed the ability to completely predict eruptions.

  Earth quake recordings, tilt meters, GPS positioning devices give indications that the surface around the vents expand and contract, inflate and deflate with subterranean lava movements and that information can give scientists an educated guess at best.  

  I am not aware of the lava catching any one by surprise here in recent history other then falling through lava tube ceilings and or getting to close to sea entrances and being overcome by deadly fumes if the wind shifts unexpectedly. 

 Any way, feel free to ask more questions anytime during  the next week and then again after Apr. 12 when I return from my trip.

  Aloha, Jim L.