THURSTON LAVA TUBE

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was created in 1916. It's purpose is to preserve geologic features of Kilauea, Mauna Loa, and Haleakala Volcanoes. One of these features is Thurston Lava Tube. It is located east of Kilauea Caldera and next to Kilauea Iki Crater. It was formed about 400 years ago. A lava tube is a hollow space between the surface of a solidified lava flow formed by the withdraw of molten lava after the formation of surficial crust, (when a layer of lava hardens over lava still flowing). Then the liquid center runs out( due to the location of the tube usually on a steep slope), creating a pocket. Over time lava flows may harden over the tube creating a thick layer. If thick and heavy enough the layer(roof) may collapse(cave in). The absence of the layer creates a crater and at the same time exposes the lava tube by creating a mouth.

A lava tube is formed when the top layer of a flow cools and the center remains in liquid form. The liquid center will drain out if located on a slope.

Picture source: Charlquist, Shewin. "Hawaii: a Natural History" 1970.

The mouth of Thurston's lava tube before being remodeled. The tube is up to 13 feet in height (4 meters).

Photo source: Stearns, Harold T. "Geology of the State of Hawaii" 1985.

Our class and Dr. Mattox in front of lava tube, present day.

Picture provided by Karen Chang.

This shows Thurston lava tube as seen from the inside.

Picture source: A Teacher's Guide to The Geology of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by Stephen Mattox, Ph.D., 1994.

A chaperone exiting the tube. The tube is about 600 feet in length. Picture provided by Michael Kaneda.

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