Lava can again be seen flowing from a volcano on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Lava flows today have reached the edge of a slope, which is sending the lava along the ridge to the east and west. Eastern flows bring the lava closer to residences. The United States Geological Service says that if the flows get stronger, they may push over the ridge and into the ocean. The USGS created a composite image that uses a normal photograph along with thermal imaging to show the active flow front in Kalapana.
Beginning last weekend, eruptive activity took place at two locations. One is in what is called the "east rift zone" where lava is flowing through tubes to the surface along highway 137. That advance is near homes. As the lava met the Kalapana access road, the burning asphalt created a plume of thick, black smoke.
Big Island police caution visitors that travel is restricted in that area. Vehicles are allowed to drive into the roadway from the point where Route 130 is covered by lava up to a parking lot with a guard shack. Beyond that point, the road is closed to everyone but residents. The only people allowed to park along the road beyond the warning sign are those who work with the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
A second area of activity is at the summit eruptive vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater. There, a "crusted and circulating lava pond produced red glow visible from the Jaggar Museum overnight." A description of this vent is provided by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
"Halema`uma`u Overlook vent: has been difficult to describe concisely. The vent is actually a pit, or crater, in the floor of the larger Halema`uma`u Crater in the floor of the larger Kilauea caldera or crater – a crater within a crater within a crater. It is easiest to describe as a pit inset within the floor of a crater within a caldera. The pit is about 140 m (460 ft) in diameter at the Halema`uma`u Crater floor, is about 50 m in diameter at the pit floor, and is about 200 m (660 ft) deep. As of November, 2009, a lava pond surface has been visible in a hole in the floor of this pit."
Kilauea is always an active volcano, but fresh lava flows do not always extend out to where they are visibile by residents or visitors. Kilauea erupts from three main areas: its summit and two rift zones. The summit is high due to the frequent eruptions but the USGS says more eruptions occur at the long rift zones, which creates ridges that reach out from the summit. Many of the eruptions are gentle, with lava flows of several yards that increase the hight of the summit and build up the rift zones. According to the USGS, sporadic explosions will continue to cause destruction, "We cannot tell how much larger Kilauea will grow or when it will stop, but it will surely continue to erupt through the rest of human history"
(Photo of lava on road by Richard Denton, thermal image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.)
Published by Bruce Fisher
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
July 24th, 2010
If "sea level Hawaii" is all you've experienced, you are definitely missing out on many of Hawaii's scenic treasures–and some real adventure.
Many people, when they think of Hawaii, immediately see images of white sand beaches, coconut trees and mai-tais in the tropical sun. Not that there's anything wrong with that–you aren't likely to find anyone who lives here turning down a luxurious beach day or their favorite sunset cocktail! But, on your next visit, may I suggest getting to know Hawaii at higher elevations?
On the Big Island, there are a number of opportunities to experience "upcountry" Hawaii, but people taking a Hawaii vacation often put at the top of their itinerary a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park–a great place to get your first taste of the Big Island at 4,000 ft. above sea level. The Park is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site, so if you spend some time here you can explore up to seven ecological zones (seacoast, lowland, mid-elevation woodland, rain forest, upland forest, subalpine, and alpine) in one trip.
I recommend, if it is at all possible, staying at a Volcano Village bed & breakfast for a couple of nights during your Big Island visit. Most folks don't realize how long the drive from Kona or the Kohala coast to Volcano will really feel by the time you reach the Volcanoes National Park. Being able to relax and enjoy the Village as well as the Park will make your trip to Hawaii's Big Island much more enjoyable.
There are a few great restaurants in Volcano–Kilauea Lodge is one favorite of mine (we've gone there for many special occasions and, for a few years, going to the Lodge for Thanksgiving Day dinner was a highly-anticipated treat). But you'll also want to reserve some time just to slow down and soak in the stunning beauty of the lush rainforest. Ohia forests and hapu'u ferns abound here–making Volcano Village an ideal place for a restful morning cup of coffee and or reading on your lanai as well as for getting up close and personal with "madame Pele" and her volcanic playground when you're ready to explore the Park.
(Photo: Though beautiful, kahili ginger is an invasive species commonly found in the Volcano area.)
Posted by: Cynthia Hoskins. Follow me on Twitter.
Related post: Waimea and the Kohala Mountains
We are happy to welcome Cynthia's contribution to the Hawaii Aloha Travel blog this week. Cynthia will tell us about other ways to see Hawai‘i at higher elevations in future posts, as well as other notes about the Big Island.
If you live in Hawaii and would like to contribute a post, email: blogeditor@hawaii-aloha.com.
Published by Bruce Fisher
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
July 22nd, 2010
When they become aware of Hawaii’s petroglyphs during their vacations, visitors often ask us if petroglyphs are “like hieroglyphics.” Well, not exactly. The difference is really basic. Hieroglyphics comprised a means of communication, a language; petroglyphs are art, or if you prefer, graffiti. And while hieroglyphics were rendered in several media, petroglyphs were always carved or scratched in rocks.
Ancient Hawaiians called their stone art k’i’i pohaku, or images in stone. The k’i’i pohaku are petroglyphs (The word comes from the Greek words "petros," for rock, and "glyphein," to carve. This rock art provides a unique look into the past, but there is almost no historic evidence of the petroglyph’s origin in Hawaii.
Although the age of Hawaii’s images can’t be determined, a chronology of style can be discerned. The earliest were simple stick figures, while the figures with triangular torsos (which are found only in Hawaii) came later. After Westerners appeared in Hawaii, carvings of horses and cattle appeared and became more common.
Of all the islands, the Island of Hawaii has the greatest number of petroglyphs. The Big Island has more than 70 documented sites featuring petroglyphs. The total count of petroglyphs on the Big Island is around 22,000 images.
Areas of petroglyph concentration are normally found on the smooth pãhoehoe lava, cliff faces or smooth interior cliff walls, on the lava inundated areas of the island (Imagine fresh concrete and small boys), and along trails the ancient Hawaiians commonly traveled. There are areas of great concentration, as if they were studios that became fascinating, “natural” museums. One of the best and largest petroglyph fields on the Big Island is the Panau-nui Pu’u Loa petroglyph field in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (a site that should be on your list of places to visit). This particular field consists of more than 15,000 individual petroglyph images that have been scratched and pecked into the hard pahoehoe surface.
The trail to the petroglyph field is less than a mile long and easy to follow, but it goes over rough pahoehoe lava. Wear walking shoes and be careful. There are no bathrooms or other facilities on this trail. Take your own water, sun screen, a hat and your camera. You shouldn’t need food.
Once you reach the end of the trail (about a 20-minute walk) you will find a wooden boardwalk surrounding some representative petroglyphs, but the best petroglyphs can be found by leaving the boardwalk.
You’ll also see warning signs. Don’t deface, mark or scratch the petroglyphs. When walking on the petroglyph field, NEVER step on a petroglyph. That will cause it to crumble. Step carefully around the petroglyphs. Don’t take rubbings.
This trail is over natural lava rock. There are cracks, small rises and depressions and loose rocks along the trail. As with all trails in Hawai’i, if you wish to look at something, stop walking. Do not walk and look around at the same time. Never take a step backwards without first looking to see what is behind you (there might be a crack in the ground).
There is a huge variety of petroglyph images. The majority show human forms as well as simple dots (holes) or dots surrounded by other shapes (circles, spirals, etc.). You can also find other unusual petroglyphs, including ships, fish, starfish, hooks, insects and capes (or possibly squid).
Often you will see what appears to be a number of related images in a grouping. This probably indicates a family group with different members of the family contributing to the petroglyphs over time.
The best time to do this walk would be early morning, to catch the rising sun, or late afternoon, to catch the setting sun. Not only is it cooler, but also the angle of the sun should help enhance the etched surface of the lava.
Note that while the walks in and out are only about 20 minutes each, you will spend anywhere from an additional 20 minutes (if you only stay on the boardwalk) to an hour or more (if you stray off the boardwalk).
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the second-most visited attraction in the State (Arizona Memorial). It’s full of wonders. Browse the Hawaii-Aloha web site (hawaii-aloha.com), pick an agent from the home page or call 1-800-843-8771. We’ll fill you in and help you work a visit to the area into your vacation plans.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
Related blog posts:
The Natural Wonders of Hawaii
Hawaii Lava Flow News
Hawaii’s Lava Rock Curse
Hawaii’s Big Island Beaches and Parks
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Published by Bruce Fisher
Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
February 26th, 2009
