Millions of people apparently visited the Big Island during the past decade to see the active lava flows from Mauna Kilauea. Now that the volcano has gone silent, the crowds may be less, which is a nice outcome if you like less crowd (like me).
Although we did not see hot lava flows, the cold lava and the many formations, colors, shapes, and textures created over thousands of years is equally fascinating.
Lava tubes form when molten lava flows beneath a harden surface of lava. When the hot lava drains away it leaves a hollow tunnel, cave, or arch. We stumbled on this lava tube at a scenic pull-off along Highway 190 between Waimea and Kona.
Kaumana Caves State Park in Hilo offers a short walk into a cave-like lava tube. Across the street from the parking lot, a metal staircase descends to the entrance to the caves that were created by an 1881 Mauna Loa lava flow that threatened Hilo. Ferns, philodendrons, and other moisture-loving plants shroud the entrance. Bring a flashlight as it is dark inside and the rocks are slippery. Look up at the ceiling at white, gold, and bronze crystals embedded in the lava.
Tree molds are another interesting formation in lava flows. These form when hot blobs of lava harden around a living tree (often a ohi'a). The tree is incinerated and when the hot molten lava drains away, the remaining hole shows the shape of the once live trunk.
A kipuka forms when new lava flows surround a hill or slight rise, leaving an island or refuge for plants, animals, and people. The following pictures are of a kipuka in the Kahuku unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Although we did not see hot lava flows, the cold lava and the many formations, colors, shapes, and textures created over thousands of years is equally fascinating.
Lava tubes form when molten lava flows beneath a harden surface of lava. When the hot lava drains away it leaves a hollow tunnel, cave, or arch. We stumbled on this lava tube at a scenic pull-off along Highway 190 between Waimea and Kona.
Kaumana Caves State Park in Hilo offers a short walk into a cave-like lava tube. Across the street from the parking lot, a metal staircase descends to the entrance to the caves that were created by an 1881 Mauna Loa lava flow that threatened Hilo. Ferns, philodendrons, and other moisture-loving plants shroud the entrance. Bring a flashlight as it is dark inside and the rocks are slippery. Look up at the ceiling at white, gold, and bronze crystals embedded in the lava.
Tree molds are another interesting formation in lava flows. These form when hot blobs of lava harden around a living tree (often a ohi'a). The tree is incinerated and when the hot molten lava drains away, the remaining hole shows the shape of the once live trunk.
A kipuka forms when new lava flows surround a hill or slight rise, leaving an island or refuge for plants, animals, and people. The following pictures are of a kipuka in the Kahuku unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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