Eruption!

With very little warning, Kilauea erupted a couple days ago…big time.  All of the action is inside of Halema’uma’u.  It started with three fissures opening inside the crater and poured out enough lava to evaporate the sizable acidy lake at the bottom of the crater in just about no time, fill it in with lava that is now over 500 feet deep and something like 70 acres of surface area…and the initial activity threw up a plume some five miles high.  We are pretty excited.

There is no lava running on the surface…to hike out to…anywhere on the island…yet.  You can not see the lake from any of the viewing areas…but you can see the glow as in the photos from several spots…safe spots for viewing.  It is quite a show.

Two downsides…the crowds have been unbelievable.  Stop in the gallery if you are on island and CJ, Linda or I will help you put together a plan for minimizing the crowd problem…we have it figured out.  Two nights ago, the line of cars trying to park at the Kilauea Overlook stretched all the way to the park entrance.  The Jagger Overlook area remains closed due to 2018 damage.  Other viewing spots include the area around the steaming vents, the area behind the still closed Volcano House and the area overlooking Kilauea Iki.  Hiking out to look straight down into the crater…don’t…illegal and too darn dangerous at the moment…not worth it.

The second downside is that the vog is back…sorry…no more beautiful blue skies for the moment.

No telling how long this event will last…but it is a good one at the moment.  We hope you get to see it.

On the photo above, I caught the vent and the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn…dots of white in the blue sky area on the top right corner of the photo.  Not the big spectacle you might hope to see with a huge telephoto, but something unique that I may never get to see in a life time…a conjunction right next to an erupting volcano.  The other photo was taken last night at Kilauea Iki.

Happy holidays.  If you are coming to the island and want some up to date info, call me anytime at 808 9388383, remembering that Hawaii time is probably several hours earlier than your location.  If you have lived here, you know why I mention that.  One of my favorite neighbors from our old neighborhood in the Chicago area called me one morning.  He said “Don, you don’t sound your normal cheery self.”  He was right about that…it was 8 am in Chicago, but 3am here.  I was not cheery.

But I am cheery this holiday season…and sure hope to see you soon.  Aloha to all and thanks for your support even during these trying times.

 

From Don Hurzeler for all of us at Lava Light Galleries, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “Eruption!

  1. Very much enjoyed your commentary on the eruption and the beautiful shots you posted. Stayed inside most of today, since the temps are only about 15 degrees. My son Steve (Chicago) and daughter Kate (Peoria) are visiting tomorrow, Sun and Mon. before returning to their respective pads. Both my sons were here just before Christmas. Remaining daughter still works for Allstate and lives in Charlotte. Have a Merry Christmas and stay safe.

    1. Dan…I have no idea why I never saw your comment. Would love to have you come see us when the covid thing calms down. Kind of a surprise that Allstate is selling HO. My how things have changed. Think seriously about coming our way this winter…plenty to do and it will be warm here. Aloha.

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