Presentation recounts volcanic history from Ka‘u to North Kona

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The lava flows and volcanic landscapes along Mamalahoa and Queen Kaahumanu highways, from Ka‘u to North Kona, will be the focus of a public talk offered by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Gateway Visitor Center.

The lava flows and volcanic landscapes along Mamalahoa and Queen Kaahumanu highways, from Ka‘u to North Kona, will be the focus of a public talk offered by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Gateway Visitor Center.

Observatory scientist-in-charge Jim Kauahikaua and geologist Janet Babb will recount the volcanic history, stories, and impacts of volcanic features in a virtual road trip. The presentation will include photographs and sketches from the 1800s and 1900s and film from the Mauna Loa 1950 eruption, as well as images of how the flows and volcanic landscape appear today. Kauahikaua and Babb are presenting their talk to remind people that Mauna Loa and Hualalai are active volcanoes that will erupt again.

This talk is one of many programs offered by the observatory during Volcano Awareness Month. For more information, visit hvo.wr.usgs.gov, email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 967-8844.