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GEOSCIENCE ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII KONA SCIENCE PROJECT |
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MAINPAGE |
OF BIG ISLAND |
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Lectures at University of Hawaii at Hilo & Road Trip from Hilo to Kona |
This lecture program will provide you with in-depth information on some of Hawaii’s most significant geologic features. Chuck Blay, your seminar leader, will lead off with an overview of the origin and destruction of the huge mountain/island of the Hawaiian-Emperor Volcanic Chain, which extends for more than 3100 miles across the North Pacific Ocean Basin. Don Swanson, Scientist in Charge at the Volcanoes National Park, will present lectures on the character and origin of the Big Island’s Volcanoes as well as on the history of the Volcano Observatory and the development of techniques for the prediction of volcanic eruptions. The rest of the day will be spent examining and discussing the many geological/ geographic features displayed throughout the northern portion of the Big Island as we move from the Hilo side to the Kona side of the island. Along the northeast-facing Hamakua Coast we will view the basaltic ocean ledges of that high-energy, windward coastal portion of Mauna Kea and the dramatic high sea cliffs of Kohala Volcano (Waipio Valley Overlook), which represent the headwall of a huge submarine landslide. Akaka Falls is both beautiful and indicative of the many perennial streams that drain the wet, windward portion of the island. At Laupahoehoe Peninsula we will discuss tsunamis such as the famous Aleutian Island-generated tsunami that killed 25 Laupahoehoe young school children and their teachers as well as another 138 people on the Big Island. Passing through Kamuela Town (Waimea) you will be impressed by the sudden change in climate as we cross over to the dry, leeward Kona side of the island. There, the many well-exposed historic (and prehistoric) lava flows of the Mauna Kea and Hualalai volcanoes will be viewed and discussed on our way down to Kailua. |
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VOLCANOES |
ROAD TRIP |
MAUNA KEA |
SOUTH POINT |
BEACHES & REEFS |
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