03-07-2014, 04:22 AM
Anyone who thinks it would be easy to divert the flow,should look at the pictures and videos from the 1960 Kapoho eruption.
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1..._large.jpg
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1..._large.jpg
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1960Jan13/
The Long Barrier
Another barrier, this one about 1.6 km long, was constructed along a broad forested ridge from the east end of Pu`u Kukae almost to the ocean. Work began on this structure on the morning of January 21, and by late afternoon more than two dozen large caterpillar tractors were in operation. It was hoped that the barrier would prevent lava from engulfing Kapoho Beach Lots or the Coast Guard facilities at Cape Kumukahi.
The barrier held for awhile; flows piled against it but did not breach the dike. By midafternoon of January 28, however, the long barrier was broken though in four places, the largest only 250 m from the Coast Guard residences. By January 29, the barrier was no longer effective, having been overtopped or breached in many places (see map for Jan. 30). The flow teased the residence area in on-again, off-again fashion for several days, surrounding but not destroying the houses until February 2.
Meanwhile, the long barrier was also being outflanked. Lava had built into the sea beyond the end of the barrier, turned southward, and was advancing toward the Coast Guard lighthouse on January 27. Luckily this lobe of the flow stopped soon thereafter. Once the barrier was breached, lava once more threatened the lighthouse, but, as nearly every resident of Hawai`i Island knows, it stopped, almost miraculously, just short of overrunning the facility.
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1..._large.jpg
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1..._large.jpg
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1960Jan13/
The Long Barrier
Another barrier, this one about 1.6 km long, was constructed along a broad forested ridge from the east end of Pu`u Kukae almost to the ocean. Work began on this structure on the morning of January 21, and by late afternoon more than two dozen large caterpillar tractors were in operation. It was hoped that the barrier would prevent lava from engulfing Kapoho Beach Lots or the Coast Guard facilities at Cape Kumukahi.
The barrier held for awhile; flows piled against it but did not breach the dike. By midafternoon of January 28, however, the long barrier was broken though in four places, the largest only 250 m from the Coast Guard residences. By January 29, the barrier was no longer effective, having been overtopped or breached in many places (see map for Jan. 30). The flow teased the residence area in on-again, off-again fashion for several days, surrounding but not destroying the houses until February 2.
Meanwhile, the long barrier was also being outflanked. Lava had built into the sea beyond the end of the barrier, turned southward, and was advancing toward the Coast Guard lighthouse on January 27. Luckily this lobe of the flow stopped soon thereafter. Once the barrier was breached, lava once more threatened the lighthouse, but, as nearly every resident of Hawai`i Island knows, it stopped, almost miraculously, just short of overrunning the facility.