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Hawaii Shelf Collapse 12-2005 The following set of slides is of a recent shelf collapse on the Big Island of Hawaii. During the 2005 Advanced Geology trip to Hawaii, we hiked out to a viewpoint that was close to where this collapse took place. The day we hiked out there, there was a minor collapse that essentially led to this major one. We of course hiked well inland of the coast. Current lava pictures were taken from http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/#video slides 3,4, 19, 22, 27, 32, 33, 34 taken by Dan Brownstein The images are all from June 29th to Dec 3rd 2005 Slide Show by Daniel Brownstein
We were standing several hundred feet upslope of the circle (see next slide). Note that there are several breakouts just beyond that. This picture is from June 30th and we were there on the 29th. Check out the fractures (red and blue ovals) that were right below us in the delta. This is where the collapse took place. Everything to the left of that fracture (the red one) is in the ocean now. The new cliff is 100 ft!
The steam plume on June 29th—visible from over 40 miles away
We were right here on June 29th! Our approximate path July 7 2005 Approx ¼ mile
Close up of lava delta July 2005. Note huge crack formed the previous day. To the left of the crack is “spatter” that came out of the crack when it formed. Lava is visible entering the ocean at the bottom left
Why Shelves Collapse • Lava pours into ocean chaotically • Layer upon uneven layer leads to a small delta • Undercutting by ocean destabilizes delta • Eventually the delta will collapse • This sometimes forms a series of “steps” • A drop down ledge is called a “bench” • Next slide diagrams this process
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November 1st X We were here December 1st
November 1st December 1st 45 acres of land fell into the ocean
Point A Before (above)After (below) Point B Point A Point B
Where you shouldn’t stand Pictures of current flow into ocean over new cliff
Note that after 2 days—small delta/cone has built up below lava falls
1. Note location of lava tube (now exposed in cliff face) 2. Note gypsum/sulfur deposits that formed along new crack near cliff face—these commonly form along fractures above underground lava (see next slide) Dec 2 2005
Pu’u O’o—current site of eruption—along Kilauea’s East Rift Zone From here—lava travels mainly underground to ocean via lava tubes
Lava tubes form because the surface of a lava flow will cool first. Basalt is an excellent insulator and keeps lava underneath new crust relatively hot, which allows it to flow rapidly. When lava cools, it becomes thicker (more viscous) and slows down.
Lava tubecave—when lava stops flowing it can leave behind a cave like this one. This lava tube is part of a miles long set of tubes on Mauna Loa
Current pahoehoe flows.Note that within the flow there are black specks. These are solidified pieces of basalt, which slows down the lava
Skylight into Lava Tube: Since the top portion of the tube is relatively thin, pieces of the tube can collapse, forming a “skylight.”
The geologic history of Hawaii is filled with examples of much more catastrophic island collapses These collapses can create “mega tsunamis” with waves over 2000 feet tall. Shells carried from such waves have been found thousands of feet above sea level on some of the Hawaiian volcanoes.
