Kilauea Iki

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Kilauea Iki is a collapse crater which is next to the main summit caldera of Kilauea.

Kilauea Iki on December 19, 1959
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Kilauea Iki on December 19, 1959

Contents

[edit] Kilauea Volcano Eruption

In August 1959, a swarm of deep earthquakes were detected by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. In October it was indicated by seismographs that the summit of Kilauea was filling with new magma. Between September and November over 1,000 earthquakes were detected. On November 14, the activity increased as magma made its way to the surface and erupted at 8:08 p.m. local time. A fissure opened up through the south wall of Kilauea Iki and began to fill it up. A lava fountain was spewing lava 60-80 meters by November 17. This formed a new cinder cone named Pu’u Pua`i (gushing hill).

[edit] Lava Fountain

One of the most impressive parts of the eruption were the lava fountains that flowed from Pu`u Pua`i. By November 17, the fountain was reaching 60-80 meters tall with occasional bursts as high as 180 meters. The fountain grew to over 320 meters on November 18. On November 21, the lava lake was over a meter deep over the vent causing ripples across the surface of the lava lake causing lava on the shores to break like waves on a beach. At 7:25 p.m. local time on November 21, the fountain went from 210 meters tall to a few gas bubbles in less than 40 seconds.

Magma Budget from USGS
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Magma Budget from USGS

[edit] Lava Drainback

The first episode had 31 million cubic meters of lava flow into Kilauea Iki with 1 million cubic meters draining back. During the following episodes, a total of 71 million cubic meters of lava was ejected during a month long eruption that stopped on December 20, 1959. Only 8 million cubic meters of lava remained, 63 millon cubic meters of lava drained back into Kilauea magma reservoir. Often the lava drainback had a higher rate of flow than the eruptions.

[edit] Facts

  • On December 15, the highest flow of lava was measured at 1.45 million cubic meters per hour.
  • With every filling and draining of the lava lake, a 'black ledge' was formed along the rim of the crater which is now 15-60 meters wide and 15 meters tall.
  • During lava drainbacks, giant counter-clockwise whirlpool would form.
Well worn path can be seen across the crater floor
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Well worn path can be seen across the crater floor

[edit] Tourism

Currently many guests can hike across Kilauea Iki from Byron Ledge which over looks the crater. Even after almos 50 years the surface is still warm to the touch and steam can still be seen escaping from it.

[edit] Reference

Kilauea Iki Crater