Sixteen Explosive Days at Kīlauea in May 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 May 100 years ago, highlight the 2.5 weeks of explosions and their impacts on the people who were there, and speculate why similar explosions did not occur during the 2018 partial collapse of the caldera.

When: May 14 at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium

Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s ongoing After Dark in the Park series of programs.

Event is free, however your suggested $2.00 donation helps support park programs. Park entrance fees apply.

For information, call (808) 985-6011.

Program co-sponsored by Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.