PEDD 9634 - The Geology and Natural History of the Island of Hawaii ? Part 1

Course Description

This 2- day class will explore the unique and diverse scenery of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park is unique among other national parks due to the ongoing volcanic activity. There is a very good chance that we will see flowing red hot lava. We will definitely see evidence of recent lava flows, lava lake, steam and sulfur vents and lava tubes. On day 1 we will explore Crater Rim Drive. We will begin with a visit to the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center where we will see displays, maps, and a film to acquaint us with some of the main features of the park. Our trip will continue with a 15-mile clockwise loop around Kilauea Caldera. Stops will include Kilauea Iki Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, Halemaumau Crater, Southwest Rift Zone, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Kipuka, Pualul Bird Park. On day 2 we will drive Chain of Craters Road. The road was first opened in 1965 but just four uears later 12 miles of the road was buried by lava flows up to 300 feet thick. The road was rebuilt in 1986, a flow again buried the road and this flow marks the end of the 20 mile long road. We will stop at a series of craters for which the road was named, Muana Ulu ? a 2 mile walk with views of lava trees, lava molds, and a dense fern forest, and a look at the Puu Loa Petroglyphs.