Lava from the Hawaii volcano continues to flow out vigorously even a month after the eruption began. Last week, lava entered the Pacific ocean with plumes of ash billowing into the sky. Hawaii County has ordered about 2,000 people to be evacuated from Leilani Estates and surrounding neighbourhoods since the eruption began.

The lava has destroyed 50 buildings, including about two dozen homes. One person was hit by a flying piece of lava leaving him seriously injured. While nature continues to show its ferocious side, there are a set of certain words related to it. Here are some of them:

Magma or lava: Both the words means blobs of molten rock. When the molten rock is underground it is called magma, when it emerges above the ground, it is known as lava.

Vog: Vog is a short form of volcanic smog. According to the American Meteorological Society, it is the fine particle emissions from volcanoes which results in the haze.

As per the U.S. Geological Survey reported, vog is produced when the noxious sulfur dioxide gas and other air pollutants from volcanoes react with oxygen, atmospheric moisture and sunlight. If inhaled in higher concentrations, vog can cause headaches and irritation to the lungs and eyes, according to the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Laze: A mix of lava and haze results in laze. It forms when hot, 2,000-degree lava hits the cooler sea water. It contains hydrochloric acid steam cloud which billows into the air, along with fine particles of glass.

Pele's hair: Pele's hair is fine strands of volcanic glass fibres which are formed from lava fountains and rapidly moving lava flows. It is produced by small explosions resulting in a mixture of volcanic glass including Pele's hair.

Blue flames of methane: According to the US Geographical Survey, "When lava buries plants and shrubs, methane gas is produced as a byproduct of burning vegetation. Methane gas can seep into subsurface voids and explode when heated, or as shown in this video, emerge from cracks in the ground several feet away from the lava. When ignited, the methane produces a blue flame." They are only visible at the night.

Acid rain: In Hawaii, acid rain was predicted to fall from the skies. Scientists are of the opinion that it would not be so harmful as it far from the main volcano. According to Environmental Protection Agency, walking in the acid rain could be dangerous to humans. It can even cause metal rooftops and other things including monuments and statues to melt.

If the lava cross key highways officials will need to evacuate a thousand more people as it will block their route to get grocery stores, schools and hospitals. The volcano has opened more than 20 vents in the ground releasing more lava and gas. Last week, the plume reached about 7,000 feet. There was a 3.9 magnitude earthquake at the summit right after it.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 03, 2018 12:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).