You are correct Sheana. Hawaii volcanoes are “shield” volcanoes as opposed to “explosive” volcanoes like Mt St Helens. Shield volcanoes are more gradual eruptions, lots of warning, etc. The current “eruption” on the Big Island has been going on for nearly 40 years, building hundreds of acres of land along the coastline. What is now occurring in the outbreak of lava consuming - now about 37 - homes is not new. The outbreaks are in an area known for lava activity FOR GENERATIONS. Generations of families have lived in this area, many living a self sustaining lifestyle, because of its beauty, isolation and culture ( very community oriented ). They rely of family, neighbors and friends when “Madame Pele” visits them and “reclaims her property”. It is NOT a catastrophe them. The “explosive eruption” at Halemaumau Crater is not like the Mt St Helen’s explosion. It is much smaller, was predicted as a release of pressure in the crater which has been subsiding. The ash plume will mostly be driven toward the ocean by the trade winds, over the Kau desert. Some residences will experience light ashfall. Currently, it is raining in the area of the ash plume. The rain will have a cleansing effect to a certain degree and continued rainfall will do some “washing” for cars, roof tops, etc. Yes, we live on an active volcano, have done so all my life and I can witness, every day, the awesomeness of nature. I have to laugh at the “Global Warming” people who say mankind is destroying our climate when I see this kind of volcanic activity. I wonder how much “pollution” has been emitted within the last week into our atmosphere? It is a thousand SUVs worth or maybe a million? Where will Al Gore send THIS carbon tax bill??