pyroclastic flow from a collapsing lava dome, lahars, poisonous gases that travel ahead of lava, or explosions caused when the flow comes into contact with water. A particularly dangerous area is called a lava bench. This very young ground will typically break off and fall into the sea. Areas of recent lava flows continue to represent a hazard long after the lava has cooled. Where young flows have created new lands, land is more unstable and can break off into the sea. Flows often crack deeply, forming dangerous chasms, and a fall against ʻaʻā lava is similar to falling against broken glass. Rugged hiking boots, long pants, and gloves are recommended when crossing lava flows. Diverting a lava flow is extremely difficult, but it can be accomplished in some circumstances, as was once partially achieved in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. The optimal design of simple, low-cost barriers that divert lava flows is an area of ongoing research. Towns destroyed by lava flows The Nisga'a villages of Lax Ksiluux and Wii Lax K'abit in northwestern British Columbia, Canada were destroyed by thick lava flows during the eruption of Tseax Cone in the 1700s. Garachico on the island of Tenerife was destroyed by the eruption of Trevejo (1706) (rebuilt) Cagsawa, Philippines buried by lava erupted from Mayon Volcano in 1814. Keawaiki, Hawaii 1859 (abandoned) San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, Italy Destroyed in 1944 by the most recent eruption of Mount Vesuvius during the Allies' occupation of southern Italy. (rebuilt) Koae and Kapoho, Hawaii were both destroyed by the same eruption of Kīlauea in January, 1960. (abandoned) Kalapana, Hawaii was destroyed by the eruption of the Kīlauea volcano in 1990. (abandoned) Kapoho, Hawaii was largely inundated by lava in June 2018, with its subdivision Vacationland Hawaii being completely destroyed. Towns damaged by lava flows Catania, Italy, in the 1669 Etna eruption (rebuilt) Sale'aula, Samoa, by eruptions of Mt Matavanu between 1905 and 1911 Mascali, Italy, almost completely destroyed by the eruption of Mount Etna in 1928 (rebuilt) Parícutin (village after which the volcano was named) and San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico, by Parícutin from 1943 to 1952. Heimaey, Iceland, in the 1973 Eldfell eruption (rebuilt) Piton Sainte-Rose, Reunion island, in 1977 Royal Gardens, Hawaii, by the eruption of Kilauea in 1986–87 (abandoned) Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, in the eruption of Nyiragongo in 2002 Los Llanos de Aridane (Todoque neighbourhood) and El Paso (El Paraíso neighbourhood) on