In
1983
a series of short-lived lava fountains built
the massive cinder-and-spatter cone of Pu`u`O`o. In 1986, the eruption
migrated 3 km down the east rift zone to build
the
broad shield Kupaianaha, which
provided the coast with lava
for the next 5.5 years. When the eruption shifted back to Pu`u`O`o in 1992,
a series of flank-vent eruptions formed a shield banked against the uprift
side of the cone. Continuous eruption from these vents did caved the
fiery underworld in the west and south flanks of the
cone, resulting large collapses of the west flank.
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In- and around
the crater areal 15 cones are piling up. The long exposed photos presents the
incandesent cones inside the crater. On the left side of the upper photo you can
see the collapsed 'East Pond Vent', which broke down one week before our arrival.
In reason of this volcanic act at the south gap of the crater the view inside
the cone was able and a 20 x15 meter large and wild degasing lava lake was
offered to us.
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Rainy weather conditions complicated taking
photographs. Dense fog disabled the clear view into the crater world. The hot
steam was unfortunately raising up at the southeast rim and 'contaminated' the
whole view in the crater. Anyhow some nice exposures were born and particular on
Martins photos the incandesence cones appears for a short time clearly. He was
standing 150 meter east of my position and could evade the misty pollution.
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On the left
side of the East Pont Vent, down the river (sea) the old splatter cone was
ejecting in an intervall of may one hour scarce material from the bottom into
the height of 20 meters. The ejectas had been of an liquid consistence. The
lava pond and the splatter cone describes a nice fiery pair being connected by
one lava flow.
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Morning mood at the crater.
Left and right you can see the eruptive ejectas. On the next page we are
entering the rim of the East Pont Vent by enjoying a view inside this monster.
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Sunrise at the crater after
a hawaiian rainy night in our protection rift.
