Last time I was on the island of Hawaii (1980) nothing exciting was happening
volcano-wise. My husband (a geophysicist) and I (a molecular biologist) are
thinking of spending our 50th birthdays in Hawaii maybe in March. Will we be
disappointed volcano-wise, again? We realize that there has been a long
eruptive phase going on since 1983. Any chance of predicting what is in store
for the near future? Thanks!
Peggy Halleck
Mrs. Halleck,
Actually 1990 was kind of an exciting year. There were lots of lava
flows in and around the town of Kalapana, and many homes were destroyed.
Perhaps your timing was unfortunate.
As for March, it is pretty much impossible to predict exactly. At the
moment there are active pahoehoe flows near the end of Chain of Craters'
Rd. The park service is letting folks get right up to them as long as
there isn't too much fume. Often you can also see lava entering the ocean
as well. This has been the state of the current eruption for the last
month or so. I will send you in a separate message the latest report from
the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY(s)
Scott Rowland, University of Hawaii
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