The Impossibility of Dumping Liquid Nitrogen on Mt. Kilauea

In recent discussions, there has been speculation about the potential impact of dumping one billion gallons of liquid nitrogen on currently erupting Mt. Kilauea. This scenario, while intriguing, is theoretically and practically impossible given the current limitations and conditions at the volcano. Let's explore the challenges and consequences in detail.

Theoretical Impact and Challenges

If liquid nitrogen were somehow applied to the actively erupting lava of Mt. Kilauea, it would indeed freeze a small amount of the lava. However, the sheer volume of lava being erupted would far exceed the impact of the liquid nitrogen. Here's how the situation would unfold:

1. Freezing a Tiny Amount of Lava

Liquid nitrogen, with a freezing point of -320°F (-195.8°C), rapidly solidifies any material it comes into contact with. However, the amount of lava in an erupting volcano is vast, far exceeding the volume of liquid nitrogen mentioned. The 1 billion gallons of liquid nitrogen (approximately 6.7 billion pounds) would form a frozen film on the surface of the lava. Yet, the bulk of the lava would remain unaffected, continuing to flow.

2. Insufficient Volume and Pressure Build-Up

The amount of liquid nitrogen required to significantly impact the lava flow is staggering. The global liquid nitrogen market size was estimated at 7.87 million tons in 2016. Dumping 1000 times this amount is practically unthinkable. To put this into perspective, a single large liquid natural gas (LNG) tanker can carry about 300,000 tons of LNG, meaning you would need over 3000 such tankers to transport this volume of liquid nitrogen.

3. Physical and Environmental Impact

The release of liquid nitrogen would result in a massive cloud of nitrogen gas that would roll downhill, asphyxiating every living creature in its path. The expansion of the liquid nitrogen into a gaseous state would also cause a significant increase in volume, leading to a potential explosive reaction due to the buildup of internal pressure. This release of gas would create a suffocation zone covering an area of about 100 square miles.

4. Structural and Operational Challenges

Transporting and deploying this volume of liquid nitrogen is both physically and logistically challenging. The sheer size of the tanks required and the energy needed to convert atmospheric air into liquid nitrogen present insurmountable practical barriers. Additionally, the heat and pressure involved in such a process would pose significant risks and would be far beyond current technological capabilities.

Conclusion

While the idea of dumping liquid nitrogen on a volcano might seem like a fascinating hypothesis, the reality is far from reality. The volume of lava, the logistical challenges of transport, and the limited ability of such a liquid to impact the flow of lava make this scenario impractical and impossible. The most likely outcome would be a vast suffocation zone, affecting all living organisms within the area. In conclusion, Mt. Kilauea, with its current eruptive activity, would continue its cycle of eruption unaffected by such a theoretical intervention. The challenges and physical constraints make this scenario a theoretical exercise rather than a practical solution to volcanic activity.

Keywords: Mt. Kilauea, lava flow, liquid nitrogen