sky after Hawaii volcano eruption
© ReutersThe sky turns orange as lava flow covers a road near Pahoa on Hawaii's Big Island on Friday. Kilauea began erupting on May 3
The Hawaii volcano eruption is expected to impact the state's marine and animal life for decades as the environment changes in the wake of the lava flow.

Kilauea, on Hawaii's Big Island, first start erupting on May 3, resulting in lava oozing over residential communities and heading towards the Pacific Ocean. The lava first met the ocean on May 20.

While the lava flow has received lots of attention for destroying neighborhoods, it has also been quietly covering Hawaii's famed tide pools, hot springs and coastal waters, changing the shoreline in the process.

Hawaii volcano eruption 1
© ReutersThe sky's deep orange hue reflects the fiery volcano eruption in Leilani Estates. The lava has already destroyed 600 homes
Lava from the Kilauea volcano- orange sky
© ReutersLava from the Kilauea volcano paints Hawaii's normally crisp, blue skies orange when viewed near the Pahoa neighborhood
Hawaii National Guard soldiers
© ReutersHawaii National Guard soldiers were spotted stopped near Pahoa while examining the lava flow covering the road Friday

Scientists say that the lava's impact on local marine life will be seen in major ways.

'On the shoreline, the differences will be night and day,' Frank Samsone, a professor of oceanography at UH Manoa, told KHON.

'What used to be a lush productive environment with hot pools and animals of all different kinds, it's going to be either a black sand beach or a cliff.'

In addition, Samson noted that when lava - which emits sulfur dioxide and hydriodic acid - mixes with water, it changes the acidity in the water. If the acidity changes enough, it could have a deleterious effect on sensitive marine life, which would either leave the area or stay away from it in the future.

In addition, when lava meets water, it sheds tiny, glassy particles into the water, which Samsone said would be harmful when passing through animals with gills.

Samsone said that it could take hundreds of years for the marine life to return to the state it was in prior to the volcano eruption.


Hawaii volcano eruption- lava flow into pacific
© APLava from the Kilaeua volcano can be seen flowing into the Pacific Ocean near Kapoho Bay and Vactionland on the Big Island. Scientists said that the lava flow's impact on the local marine life could be felt for decades, if not a century
satellite image of Hawaii volcano eruption
© APA satellite image from June 3, capturing the slow advance of the lava over land and towards the ocean. In the process, the lava has covered tide pools and hot springs in its path. Scientists say that black sand beaches will migrate down the coast

In the meantime, he said, it's likely that more deep water animals will be seen along the coast, in place of the traditional inshore, coastal varieties that the Kapoho area is known for.

In addition, 'If you kept a careful eye, you would see the black sand beaches coming and going maybe they would migrate down the coast,' Samsone said.

The volcano eruption isn't all bad news for marine life, however.

Ash blocks the sun and causes ocean temperatures to fall, which creates ideal growth conditions in the ocean, as well as supplying nutrients on the ocean surface, International Pacific Researcher Megumi Chikamoto told KHON.

Meanwhile, on land, as people flee from the lava's path, they're often forced to leave behind both pets and livestock, which are now said to be scattered around the Big Island's animal shelters, sanctuaries and foster homes.

Once, a litter of puppies was discovered in a box near the side of the highway close to the lava zone.

Kathy Buono, of Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary, in Kurtistown, Hawaii, said that the shelter has been inundated with household pets that their owners were unable to flee with.

'Unfortunately, a lot of people are dumping their animals, so we're getting a lot of abandoned and surrendered animals as well,' Buono told KITV.

She added that the shelter has been on the receiving end of non-stop calls from 'people crying on the phone' seeking help for their beloved animals. 'It's very emotional for them,' Buono said.

Good Samaritans have been known to rescue fleeing neighbors' livestock as well, lest they be covered by the lava.

Hawaii's Civil Defense is now said to be working with the Hawaii Fire Department to arrange air rescues and answer calls for animal rescues.

The AP reported Friday that scientists said the lava flow has created nearly a mile of new land and that there is no way of knowing when the eruption will end or if more lava-spewing vents will open. More than 600 homes in the lava's path have been destroyed so far.