In 1983 a
series of short-lived lava fountains built the massive cinder-and-spatter
cone of Pu`u`O`o. In 1986, the eruption migrated 3 km down the east rift
zone to build the broad shield Kupaianaha, which
provided the coast with lava for
the next 5.5 years. When the eruption shifted back to Pu`u`O`o in 1992, a
series of flank-vent eruptions formed a shield banked against the uprift
side of the cone. Continuous eruption from these vents did caved the
fiery underworld in the west and south flanks of the
cone, resulting large collapses of the west flank.
mr
In- and around the crater areal
15 cones are piling up. The long exposed photos presents the incandesent cones
inside the crater. On the left side of the upper photo you can see the collapsed
'East Pond Vent', which broke down one week before our arrival. In reason of this
volcanic act at the south gap of the crater the view inside the cone was able
and a 20 x15 meter large and wild degasing lava lake was offered to us.
mr
mr
tb
tb
tb
tb
Rainy weather conditions complicated taking photographs. Dense
fog disabled the clear view into the crater world. The hot steam was
unfortunately raising up at the southeast rim and 'contaminated' the whole view in the crater. Anyhow some nice exposures were born and particular on Martins
photos the incandesence cones appears for a short time clearly. He was standing
150 meter east of my position and could evade the misty pollution.
tb
tb
tb
mr
On the left side of the
East Pont Vent, down the river (sea) the old splatter cone was ejecting in an
intervall of may one hour scarce material from the bottom into the height of
20 meters. The ejectas had been of an liquid consistence. The lava pond and
the splatter cone describes a nice fiery pair being connected by one lava
flow.
mr
tb
tb
tb
Morning mood at the crater. Left and right you can see the
eruptive ejectas. On the next page we are entering the rim of the East Pont Vent
by enjoying a view inside this monster.
tb
Sunrise at the crater after a hawaiian rainy
night in our protection rift.
in
deutsch
