08-27-2014, 05:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by opihikao
Great information, bananahead, and all. Historically, this is quite interesting. As we watch this event, what do you all think about diversion? I'm wondering if this is part of the current discussion. JMO.
(*Snipped - More at link)
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/arch...11_28.html
The 1935 lavas can be easily identified as the black flow surrounding Pu`u Huluhulu on the Saddle Road opposite the Mauna Kea access road. This eruption also marks the first attempt at altering the course of a Hawaiian eruption, through the use of explosives.
Eventually the lava turned to follow the natural drainage toward Hilo, instigating a crisis. On December 26, the flow was moving 1.6 km per day (1 mile per day), and at that rate scientists calculated the flows would reach Kaumana Road by January 9 (disrupting mochi-pounding parties). A suggestion to bomb the eruption was made. The U.S. Army Officer who planned the bombing operation was then Lt. Colonel George S. Patton, who would go on to WWII fame.
On December 27, U.S. Army planes dropped bombs, targeting the lava channels and tubes just below the vents at 2,600 m (8,600 ft). The object was to divert the flow near its source. The results of the bombing was declared a success by Thomas A. Jaggar, Director of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Jagger wrote that "the violent release of lava, of gas and of hydrostatic pressures at the source robbed the lower flow of its substance, and of its heat." The lava stopped flowing on January 2, 1936. The efficacy of this lava bombing is disputed by some volcanologists, and lava diversion will be the subject of a future Volcano Watch.
Great info! I often wondered about this story, and typically only shared what I have learned from other guides, which is usually very inaccurate. Supposedly, from the cultural perspective, there is a story about Hawaiian practitioners/kupuna at the time warning about Pele's retaliation for the bombings. She would supposedly kill anybody involved in the bombings with a fiery death. Supposedly one of the Pilots actually did die in a plane crash later on.
Anybody know about the origins or documentation of this story?
“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson