"A 44-acre chunk of the Big Island's Puna coast collapsed into the sea with high-energy pyrotechnics this week, exposing a 60-foot cliff face with a spurting, 6-foot-thick red geyser of molten rock."
Dec 1st, 2005, 08:34 AM
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"A 44-acre chunk of the Big Island's Puna coast collapsed into the sea with high-energy pyrotechnics this week, exposing a 60-foot cliff face with a spurting, 6-foot-thick red geyser of molten rock."
From the Honolulu Advertiser:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ap...0101/512010335
Quite spectacular.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ap...0101/512010335
Quite spectacular.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 01:36 AM
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Wow, those before and after photos give a good idea of just how much land collapsed into the ocean. Truly amazing!
It reminded me of a show I saw last year (I think it was a Nova episode on tsunamis) about how the Hawaiian islands erode back into the sea. Apparently, from landslide studies done off the islands, the process is not gradual. Instead huge chunks of an island may collapse all at once, causing a tsunami in the Pacific basin. The show mentioned the eastern rift zone of the Big Island, the entire 40+ mile stretch from Hilo all the way to South Point is the next candidate for this kind of collapse. But they were talking about geologic time -- it could be tomorrow or a million years from tomorrow.
It reminded me of a show I saw last year (I think it was a Nova episode on tsunamis) about how the Hawaiian islands erode back into the sea. Apparently, from landslide studies done off the islands, the process is not gradual. Instead huge chunks of an island may collapse all at once, causing a tsunami in the Pacific basin. The show mentioned the eastern rift zone of the Big Island, the entire 40+ mile stretch from Hilo all the way to South Point is the next candidate for this kind of collapse. But they were talking about geologic time -- it could be tomorrow or a million years from tomorrow.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 07:40 AM
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Incredible. That is perhaps the most dramatic picture of a volcanic event that I have ever seen. Usually we see the huge eruptions, the flowing lava on the surface, but that spout of lava gushing out was as spectacular as it was unique.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 02:39 PM
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Does anyone know if these vents (or the scientists' warning signs that it might happen imminenetly) have affected the helicopter tour business over the volcano park areas?
It's seems to me that "Pele's hair" (delicate "threads" of volcanic glass - - found as much as 1800 ft inland) - - would not be good to have anywhere particular close to the air intake of a helicopter engine.
Or is/was it sufficient to simply advise the pilots not to get too close?
Heading to the Big Island as four days of our 30th anniversary trip Dec 31-Jan 7...
Thanks in advance for any replies, locals, tourists or even people connected to the helicopter tour business...
Best wishes,
Rex
It's seems to me that "Pele's hair" (delicate "threads" of volcanic glass - - found as much as 1800 ft inland) - - would not be good to have anywhere particular close to the air intake of a helicopter engine.
Or is/was it sufficient to simply advise the pilots not to get too close?
Heading to the Big Island as four days of our 30th anniversary trip Dec 31-Jan 7...
Thanks in advance for any replies, locals, tourists or even people connected to the helicopter tour business...
Best wishes,
Rex
Dec 2nd, 2005, 04:59 PM
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Rex
Good question. Blue Hawaiian is one of the better companies. You ought to look up their website and ask them.
I would think that they are well aware of the winds in the area and would stay out of the path of the threads of volcanic glass.
Other pics:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/
Good question. Blue Hawaiian is one of the better companies. You ought to look up their website and ask them.
I would think that they are well aware of the winds in the area and would stay out of the path of the threads of volcanic glass.
Other pics:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/
Dec 2nd, 2005, 07:17 PM
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Thanks Dusty, very interesting pictures and read.
As far as "The Picture" I'd love to get a numbered copy from that photographer! Simply amazing. Pele rocks!!! All that action and no tsunami, no casualties! Remarkable.
As far as "The Picture" I'd love to get a numbered copy from that photographer! Simply amazing. Pele rocks!!! All that action and no tsunami, no casualties! Remarkable.
Dec 2nd, 2005, 08:51 PM
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Rex,
I hope you can take the helicopter trip over the volcanoes area. We did this a few years ago, and flying over the active Pu'u O'o vent was spectacular. We have some fantastic photos looking down on the lava in the cauldera.
Congratulations on your anniversary and have a wonderful trip.
SusanEva
I hope you can take the helicopter trip over the volcanoes area. We did this a few years ago, and flying over the active Pu'u O'o vent was spectacular. We have some fantastic photos looking down on the lava in the cauldera.
Congratulations on your anniversary and have a wonderful trip.
SusanEva
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