Is Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano shooting green gems into the air?

Embedded in the lava still spewing some 130 feet into the air from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano are green crystals. 

Called olivine, these minerals can turn Hawaiian beaches green, and it appears some of the green gems are raining down upon homes near the eruption or popping up near lava flows.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Wendy Stovall, who was out studying Kilauea last week, confirmed that recent lava samples do contain olivine, though she didn’t happen upon any separated green crystals herself. 

Other folks in the area, however, appear to be collecting the tiny green gems as they see them: Read more…

More about Science, Hawaii, Volcanic Eruption, Geology, and Crystals