Kapoho Lava Flow EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
In this earthcache you will learn about the Kapoho eruption and
lava flow and the remarkable survival of the Cape Kumukahi
Lighthouse.
The coordinates may be reached by driving along Highway 130 south
from Kea'au. Turn south on Highway 132 and continue to the end
where it intersects with Highway 137. You can park here. Then continue by walking straight along
the unimproved road to the end and the coordinates.
The Big Island of Hawai'i is made of five separate, but connected
volcanoes -- Kohala, Hualalai, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea.
Only Mauna Loa and Kilauea are active, although the last eruption
from Mauna Loa occurred in 1984. Kilauea is the world's most active
volcano and has been in continuous eruption for more than 500
years. (A summary of eruptive activity from 1790 to the present may
be accessed here)
The Kilauea caldera is located in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National
Park, but most of the recent discharges of lava have occurred from
vents located along the east rift line of the volcano.
On November 14, 1959 , there was a major eruption at Kilauea Iki
Crater, just south of the main Kilauea Caldera. This spectacular
eruption continued until December 20. There was limited eruptive
activity at the main volcano but the magma reservoir continued to
grow, and there was a dramatic increase in the number of
earthquakes.
On January 13, 1960, the earthquakes caused some severe damage to
roadways and other structures. The next day, January 14, the ground
opened and spewed forth fountains of lava. Standing at the
coordinates and looking west, you can see the Kapoho Crater. The
eruption did not occur in this crater, but rather in the rift to
the north just across Highway 132. Lava continued to pour out of
the fissures and moved downhill toward the ocean quickly, entering
on January 15. Because Kapoho was an inhabited, rural area, there
were many efforts to create barriers to channel the lave flow away
from preferred areas, but in the end the force and energy of the
lava flow overran the village of Kapoho, the Warm Springs
recreational area, Higashi Pond, Koa'e Village, and Kula Pond. The
lava fountains were 500-600 feet high, with some reaching 1500
feet. It was a spectacular display of the force and beauty of
Kilauea. The lava continued to flow heavily for the remainder of
January. During February 1960, the lava flow subsided and finally
stopped on February 19.
Remarkably, lava flow did not destroy the Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse,
but it came very close. the survival of the lighthouse is
miraculous to some.
There are three main types of lava: aa, pahoehoe, and pillow lava.
"Aa" lava is a Hawaiian word that describes lava that is rough or
stony that is very viscous. It typically is rough and crumbly and
breaks into small parts known as "clinkers." "Pahoehoe" lava is the
Hawaiian name for lava that is smooth and less viscous, that flows
continuously and that a ropy, undulating surface. "Pillow" lava
describes the lava structure that is formed when lava enters the
ocean or erupts into the ocean. The lava forms large blobs as it
contacts the water and cools. These blobs look like pillows. As you
examine the lava flow, you will need to decide what type of lava
created it.
Standing at the coordinates you can easily see that the lava came
to the light house and stopped. By looking around in almost every
direction, you can see the extent of the magnitude of the lava flow
from this eruption.
Is the lava flow rough and stony or is it ropy and sort-of
smooth?
PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THE LIGHTHOUSE.
To log this earthcache, please email me the answers to the
following questions. Do NOT post the answers in the log. Please
just email them to me.
1. Estimate the distance in feet or meters that the lava came to on
the west side of the Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse.
2. Determine the type of lava, either a'a or pahoehoe.
3. Estimate the height in feet or meters of the lava flow to the
immediate north of the Lighthouse.
3. By referencing the eruption
summary, please indicate whether, in your opinion, this was a
major eruption.
Permission was obtained from the Officer in Charge,
United States Coast Guard, Honolulu, HI, that owns and administers
the Cape Kumukahi Light.
References:
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, "The 1960 Kapoho Eruption"
Roadside Geology of Hawai'i, Hazlett, Richard and Hyndman,
Donald (Mountain Press Publishing 1996)
Volcanoes in the Sea, Geology of Hawaii, Macdonald,
Gordon, et al. (University of Hawaii Press 1983)
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)