Volcanic crater rains rocks

20 March 2008 15:36 - (SA)
Mark Niesse


Hawaii - An explosion atop the long-erupting Kilauea volcano rained gravel-size rocks onto a tourist lookout, road and trail, injuring no one, but forcing parts of a national park to close.

It was the first explosion in Kilauea's main Halemaumau Crater since 1924, scattering debris over about 30 hectares on Wednesday before dawn, said Jim Kauahikaua, scientist-in-charge at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Big Island.

The 1 277m volcano has been erupting from fissures along its side steadily for more than a quarter-century.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park draws thousands of people daily, with a visitors centre and lodge near the crater rim.

No lava erupted as part of the 03:00 explosion. That suggests it was caused by hydrothermal or gas build-up, Kauahikaua said.

Scientists monitoring the summit say that there is a "remote possibility" of an eruption inside the crater, but that it is unlikely because other indicators of an eruption are not present.

Emergency plans

"The recent explosive event represents a significant addition and change to Kilauea Volcano's ongoing activity, and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is using every means available to study its causes and consequences," Kauahikaua said in a statement.

The explosion followed three months of increased activity in the crater, which has been releasing high levels of sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide, said observatory geochemist Jeff Sutton.

The park had previously closed a part of the road near the gas emissions, and that area was expanded on Wednesday following the explosion.


More at: News24.com

OK I'll admit I'm psyched about going in a month and seeing this in person. Last time I was on the Big Island all the activity was too far away to see. This time I might get to see some action up close.

Here's some photos of the explosion. Pretty impressive blast considering how long it's been. I was STANDING at that shredded railing just over a year ago taking this photo.

USGS Photos:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/images.html

I always look forward to seeing your pics when you have a trip there

Grav!ty wrote:

I always look forward to seeing your pics when you have a trip there

I hope to make this trip (more than the others) more about photos. We've sorta decided to slow down on the book production stuff bc it's so stressful for us both with full time jobs. So I plan to relax more and do photography. Thanks to some stuff I've learned from folks like Dave, I have high hopes if the weather cooperates. Especially on Kaua`i, which is where we'll be the first week. In fact, first day there I'm "dragging" Tash and myself over a 13 miles round trip day hike. 2000 foot elevation change with a 20lb pack and our photo gear... oh that'll be fun, LOL.