by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
Have You Ever Seen an Active Volcano Erupt?
How many of you can say that you’ve actually seen an active, erupting volcano in your lifetime?
Believe it or not, Curtis O. and a few of our friends who were born and raised in Hawaii had never actually witnessed an active volcano erupt!
I guess I was Curtis’s good-luck charm!
My first trip to the Big Island—and my first volcanic eruption! What an incredible experience!
We were lucky enough to arrive on the Big Island on August 11, and the very next day, August 12, we heard the exciting news: the volcano was erupting!
Curtis put the pedal to the metal and drove about two hours along the winding roads from Kona to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. When we arrived, there was absolutely no parking! Luckily, the park rangers were extremely well organized and directed us to an open parking area.
Then came the next adventure—a 45-minute hike uphill to the overlook.
When we finally reached the top around 4:00 PM, visitors were gathered at the Uēkahuna overlook in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, all waiting and watching the incredible eruption in the distance.
WHAT A SIGHT!
We sat there for nearly two hours, taking tons of photos, enjoying the scenery, and just soaking in the moment. It was one of those experiences you don’t forget!
We wanted to stay even longer, hoping the eruption would continue for 24 hours, but it started get chilly and—of course—we didn’t bring our jackets!
Unfortunately, the eruption didn’t last 24 hours. It ended at 1:23 AM after about nine hours.
Still, we felt incredibly lucky to have been there at just the right time.
My first visit to the Big Island + My first volcanic eruption = An unforgettable adventure!
Sometimes, you really do need a little good luck!
Overview of Kīlauea Episode 53
This episode showcases significant volcanic activity and its characteristics.
- Eruption Start Time — Lava fountaining episode 53 at the summit of Kīlauea started on August 12 at 3:45 p.m. HST and ended on August 13 at 1:23 a.m.
- Lava Fountain Height — The lava fountain reached heights of about 500 feet (150 m).
- Gas Plume Elevation — The gas plume from the eruption rose to approximately 18,000 feet (5,600 m).
- Crater Activity — All lava produced is filling a crater at the summit, making it shallower over time.
- Seismic Activity — A magnitude 5.2 offshore earthquake occurred around the same time as the eruption.
