Geology of Hawaii
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HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY GEOLOGY 280F - FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK Geology of Hawaii Summer Session Two – 23 July to 02 August 2007 Figure 1 - False color infrared satellite image of the SE coast of Hawaii showing the plumose structure of modern and ancient lava flows which have emanated from the summit of Mauna Loa (upper left) and from lava tubes on the flanks of Kilauea volcano. (NASA image.) Field Trip Guide by Charles Merguerian and Steven Okulewicz Hofstra University Geology Department ©2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................1 Geological Background .................................................................................................................................................1 Origin of Basalts......................................................................................................................................................12 Final Itinerary ..............................................................................................................................................................15 Day 02 - Tuesday 24 July 2007 – Hawaii Volcano National Park (HVNP)................................................................17 Thomas A. Jaggar Museum .....................................................................................................................................17 Kilauea Volcano and Hawaii Volcano National Park..............................................................................................18 Kilauea Caldera .......................................................................................................................................................21 Halema’uma’u Pit Crater.........................................................................................................................................26 The Powerful Halema’uma’u Eruptions of 1924.................................................................................................28 Sulfur Bank and Steaming Bluff..............................................................................................................................31 Southwest Rift Zone ................................................................................................................................................32 Keanakako’i Crater..................................................................................................................................................34 Day 03 - Wednesday 25 July 2007 – Hawaii Volcano National Park (HVNP)...........................................................39 Waldron/Byron Ledge Earthquake Hike .................................................................................................................39 Kilauea Iki Trail Hike..............................................................................................................................................41 Thurston Lava Tube.................................................................................................................................................46 Devastation Trail (Time Permitting)........................................................................................................................48 Day 04 - Thursday 26 July – Puna District..................................................................................................................51 Pahoa Dump ............................................................................................................................................................51 Lava Tree State Park................................................................................................................................................52 Pu’u Laimana (Lyman’s Hill) Volcanic Area..........................................................................................................55 MacKenzie State Recreational Area (Lunch) ..........................................................................................................58 Kaimu Black Sand Beach ........................................................................................................................................59 Destroyed Village of Kalapana (Possible lava viewing -Time Permitting).............................................................61 Ahalanui County Park Hot Tub and Active Steam Lava Tubes (Time Permitting).................................................63 Nanawale Sand Hills (Time Permitting)..................................................................................................................64 Day 05 - Friday 27 July – Saddle Road Excursion to Kohala .....................................................................................67 Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots ..............................................................................................................................67 Kaumana Cave.........................................................................................................................................................70 Pu’u Huluhulu Preserve and Mauna Kea.................................................................................................................72 Mauna Kea...............................................................................................................................................................73 Glaciers on Mauna Kea .......................................................................................................................................75 Will Mauna Kea Ever Erupt Again?....................................................................................................................76 Most Recent Eruption(s)......................................................................................................................................76 Kohala Mountain “Cherished land”.........................................................................................................................77 Hualalai Volcano (Time Permitting) .......................................................................................................................78 Day 06 - Saturday 28 July – Hamakua Coast Excursion to Waipi’o Valley ...............................................................81 Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden ..........................................................................................................................81 Kahuna and Akaka Falls..........................................................................................................................................82 Laupahoehoe Point (Lunch) ....................................................................................................................................84 Waipi’o Valley ........................................................................................................................................................85 Day 07 - Sunday 29 July – HVNP...............................................................................................................................88 Halema’uma’u - Kilauea Crater Hike Across Kilauea.............................................................................................88 Hilina Pali Road Excursion .....................................................................................................................................90 Forgotten Faults...................................................................................................................................................90 Lua Manu Crater......................................................................................................................................................94 Pauahi Crater ...........................................................................................................................................................95 Mauna Ulu hike (Time Permitting) .........................................................................................................................97 Day 08 – Monday 30 July – HVNP...........................................................................................................................101 Basalt Petroglyphs .................................................................................................................................................101 Day 09 – Tuesday 31 July – Lava Tube Spelunking and Chain of Craters Road......................................................102 Kazumura Cave Exploration..................................................................................................................................102 i Kazamura Cave Tour Visitor Information.........................................................................................................103 Chain of Craters Road Excursion ..........................................................................................................................104 Day 10 - Wednesday 01 August – Kau Desert and Punaluu Harbor .........................................................................105 Kau Desert Hike ....................................................................................................................................................105 The 1790 eruption..............................................................................................................................................106