Kilauea Eruption, Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii
2D only
Home
US
Hawaii
Next
Top Level
Region
We drove partway up Mauna Loa to the trailhead for the hike to the summit, which we did not do (it's a multi-day hike), mainly to get this view back towards Kilauea. Kilauea, more or less erupting for the previous 24 years before our trip, had gone on hiatus while we were exploring the crater. It erupted as we left- we looked back and saw this plume of smoke. As it turns out, it was coming from a new area, so likely parts of the park were closed off- something they do when any activity changes and until the park rangers get a handle on the situation. In fact, earthquakes preceded our visit as well- the Chain of Craters Road opened up on our first full day in the park, having been closed for at least part of the previous week.
©2007, Jeffrey L. Cooper
