Flow of Lava into the Sea, 1969–1971, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Research Article| February 01, 1973 Flow of Lava into the Sea, 1969–1971, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii JAMES G. MOORE; JAMES G. MOORE 1U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. L. PHILLIPS; R. L. PHILLIPS 1U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar RICHARD W. GRIGG; RICHARD W. GRIGG 2Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar DONALD W. PETERSON; DONALD W. PETERSON 3U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar DONALD A. SWANSON DONALD A. SWANSON 3U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information JAMES G. MOORE 1U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025 R. L. PHILLIPS 1U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025 RICHARD W. GRIGG 2Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 DONALD W. PETERSON 3U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718 DONALD A. SWANSON 3U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1973) 84 (2): 537–546. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1973)84<537:FOLITS>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation JAMES G. MOORE, R. L. PHILLIPS, RICHARD W. GRIGG, DONALD W. PETERSON, DONALD A. SWANSON; Flow of Lava into the Sea, 1969–1971, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. GSA Bulletin 1973;; 84 (2): 537–546. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1973)84<537:FOLITS>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Note: This paper is dedicated to Aaron and Elizabeth Waters on the occasion of Dr. Waters' retirement.Lava from the Mauna Ulu eruption on Kilauea Volcano entered the sea on the south coast of the Island of Hawaii three times from 1969 to 1971. Two of these flows were investigated underwater by divers, one while lava was actively flowing.The June 1969 flow entered the sea as a narrow flow of aa. Below sea level, the flow maintained continuity and flowed at least several hundred meters to a depth beyond 70 m. Several cylindrical flow lobes about 1 m in diameter and about 10 to 15 m long emerged from the side of the aa flow at a depth of about 25m.Underwater investigations, combined with subaerial observations, revealed that the March–May 1971 flow produced a distinct lava delta composed of subaerial pahoehoe lava resting on a submarine sequence of steeply dipping foreset-bedded volcanic sand and rubble that includes conformably dipping cylindrical lava tongues. Most of the pahoehoe streams pouring over the sea cliff are quenched and shattered to glassy sand and rubble that in turn is further fragmented by vigorous wave action and avalanching. In some places, however, larger pahoehoe flows maintain coherence across the cliff and through the surf zone to feed submarine lava tongues. Underwater, these active lava tongues emitted a roaring noise as lava flowed inside their outer black glassy walls. Periodically, cracks exposed the brightly incandescent lava within, and pillow-like buds and toes grew from the top and sides of the lava tongue. Only a small amount of steam was generated underwater. Water temperature close to the active tongues was elevated only 2.5°C. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.