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Kīlauea erupted explosively 100 years ago this year. Several programs and articles commemorate the centennial anniversary of the 1924 explosive eruption. 

In-person talk: Sixteen Explosive Days at Kīlauea in May 1924

Black and white photograph of explosive eruption
The Kīlauea explosion in 1924. Photograph taken by Kenichi Maehara from Uēkahuna Bluff at 11:15 a.m. on May 18, 1924.

In May 1924, more than 50 explosions from Halemaʻumaʻu produced volcanic ash that fell from South Hilo to South Kona. Thousands of rocks weighing as much as 12 tons crashed to the ground in Kīlauea caldera. Electrical storms and torrential rain accompanied several of the explosions, earthquakes repeatedly shook the summit, and Halemaʻumaʻu doubled in width. Don Swanson, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist emeritus, and Ben Gaddis, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer, describe the preamble to that eventful month 100 years ago. They also speculate why similar explosions did not occur during the 2018 partial collapse of the caldera. 

This program is being offered at three different times in two locations: 

 

After Dark in the Park presentation

When: Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.  
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park   

Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and co-sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply. 
 

Lyman Museum presentations

When: Monday, May 20, 2024, 7:00-8:30 P.M. and Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 3:00-4:30 P.M.
Where: Lyman Museum – 276 Haili St. – Hilo, Hawai‘i – (808) 935-5021 – www.lymanmuseum.org

Admission to Lyman Museum programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers.

 

"Volcano Watch" articles: 

The blast of the century at Kīlauea | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

A fresh look at Kīlauea’s 1924 explosive deposits | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)

 

Video: 100 years ago at Kīlauea: The 1924 explosive eruption described by Thomas Jaggar

This two-minute video summarizes the 1924 explosive eruption at the summit of Kīlauea, which occurred 100 years ago this year. The video is narrated by Thomas Jaggar, who founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in 1912. His description of the 1924 eruption was recorded in 1951 by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. 

Video Transcript

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