Page 433 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

Side 1 - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

J HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK: Encompassing tic views and a feel for the awesome size of the world’s most active
333,000 acres from sea level to the 13,679-foot summit of Mauna volcano. Whenever there is a seaward lava flow, the up-mountain
Loa, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has the world’s largest and perspective from the end of the road is also the place where visitors
most active volcanoes. Kilauea is an erupting volcano with glowing can often best see a “LAZE” (Lava Haze) steam plume rising, or
molten lava often flowing to the sea, in which case steam explodes to see a trickle of lava descending from Puu Oo or the Chain of
out of the crashing waves. Although this has occurred almost Craters high on the pali. If the lava is flowing toward the sea, the
continuously since 1983, on Father’s Day, 2007, this trend abruptly end-of-the-road view sometimes reveals a bright red ribbon of lava
stopped, and the lava began flowing on to the north out of vents streaming down the mountain.
just east of Puu Oo. The yellow and orange shadings shown on
this map indicate the eruptions of just the last few years. Over 90 LAVA FLOW: Kilauea’s dynamic lava flow has covered thousands
percent of the land surface area shown on the map above is covered of acres of lush landscape and neighborhoods, with 189 homes and
by lava that is 1100 years old or newer. You can drive through the other structures being destroyed. The lava flow has added hundreds
park and get a glimpse of the fresh, black lava fields, fuming steam, of acres of new land to the Big Island since 1983, most of which
scenic crater vistas, and short hikes. However, it really takes days has flowed out of the ever-changing Puu Oo Vent. January 3, 2008
to explore the park well. Seeing a real lava flow may be a hike of marked the 25th birthday of this volcanic vent, which has grown
several hours, safe conditions permitting, although such favorable to 1/4-mile (0.4 km) across. The white dotted line just inland from
conditions are not often likely. The shortest, easiest, and safest ex- the shoreline on the map above indicates where the shoreline was
ploration begins at the Kilauea Visitor Center at Volcano National back in 1983 when this eruption event began. As of July 21, 2007
Park Headquarters. Then tour the Volcano Art Center & Museum, the Puu Oo vent has for a time ceased to vent lava down its slopes
the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the Jaggar Museum, plus the and lava tubes to the sea. Instead, several fissures just east of Puu
world famous Volcano House. After visiting these sites, continue Oo in the East Rift Zone have opened up and the lava is pooling
your visit with a drive around the Kilauea Caldera, making sure not without flowing to the sea. The nature of the Kilauea Volcano dic-
to miss the Halemaumau Crater, which is revered the very home tate that this is sure to change. The map above shows in hot colors
of Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire. This guide map will lead the more recent lava flow events in the Puu Oo area. You may
you to a good understanding of your unforgettable visit to Hawaii track the current eruptions at the U.S. Government website: http://
Volcanoes National Park. hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/maps.html For current eruption
updates and information you may also call: (808) 985-6000.
LAVA FLOW & STEAM PLUME VIEWING: A 24-mile drive
from Kilauea Crater to the coast at Holei Sea Arch provides fantas-