Hawaii (Big) Island |
Hawaii is the name of a state, a set of islands and a particular island as well. To differentiate between Hawaii the concept and Hawaii the island, the island is often called "Big Island", since it is the largest of the nine named ones.
Largest, and growing. There are two mountain tops on the island, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both peak about thirteen thousand feet above sea level, and the latter is the home of the island's active volcanoes.
An eruption can last from hours to years in length. The latest eruption started in 1983 and is still going! However, the lava now travels along lava tubes into the ocean.
 | The Big Island around the Kilauea caldera is covered with tropical vegetation. |
 | The Kilauea Iki crater, immediately to the east of the Kilauea caldera (which can be seen in the background). |
 | The entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube on the east edge of the Kilauea Iki crater. |
 | Inside the lava tube. |
 | Inside the lava tube, this time with a long exposure to show more detail. |
 | The lava flow of 1974. |
 | The lava flow of 1974 again, showing the Lua Manu crater. |
 | Keanakako'i, a place where the people of old used to mine for stone for tools.
In 1877 the pit was covered in lava and stone mining ceased. In July 1974 the pit was covered in another 20 foot of lava caused by eruptions in the crater and merging lava flows. |
 | Steam vents. When you stand here with the wind blowing at you, you'llsuddenly feel warm, moist air coming at you. This is steam from the ground. |
 | View of the Kilauea caldera from the northern rim. |
 | A lava flow going down to the sea. |
 | The current lava flow. The lava travels through channels in the rocks that open up underwater. The steam plumes indicate where the hot lava meets the seawater. This is where new land is being created. |
 | Lava rock formations. |
 | Rainbow falls. |
 | The river just above the falls. |
 | View of Mauna Kea as the plane departs for Maui. |