10/22/2024
Here's an interesting bit of Lyman Field squadron (I assume) history...
Today marks the anniversary of the end of a brief but powerful eruption at Kīlauea volcano on October 22, 1968. This eruption occurred along a 4-mile (6.5 km) line of fissures between Kane Nui o Hamo and Nāpau crater, an area known for its frequent volcanic activity.
The eruption was preceded by a series of shallow earthquakes and harmonic tremors that began on October 7, indicating increasing pressure beneath the surface. Around 2:35 PM, geologists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory spotted a gas cloud rising from the east slope of Kane Nui o Hamo. This small cloud quickly grew to over 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) wide as fissures opened up.
Later, a Civil Air Patrol plane flew over the eruption zone and observed nearly continuous lava fountains extending about 3 miles (5 kilometers) down the rift northeast of Nāpau. These fountains soared more than 230 feet (70 meters) high, flooding the floor of Nāpau with lava pouring over its east and west walls. By the afternoon of October 21, geologists witnessed stunning lava fountains shooting up over 328 feet (100 meters) into the sky, accompanied by a thunderous roar as molten rock erupted from the fissures.
This eruption is part of Kīlauea's long history of volcanic activity, following significant eruptions in 1840, 1922, 1961, and 1965. Each event deepens our understanding of Kīlauea and the geological processes that shape our landscape.
📷: USGS: Lava pouring underground along segment of eruptive fissure in Nāpau crater.
