Scientists explore Kaumana Caves State Park

Participants of the May 2024 Kīlauea petrology workshop, hosted in Hilo, visited the Kaumana Caves State Park during one of their field trips. The lava tubes at Kaumana Caves State Park formed during the 1880-1881 eruption of Mauna Loa, which occurred on the Northeast Rift Zone. During the Mauna Loa 1880-1881 eruption, lava flows approached Hilo; read more about this eruption here: pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2019/5129/sir20195129.pdf. USGS photo by A. Lerner.