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Went back into park again today to see demonstration of the Hula dance. The making of the lei and the offerings to the gods was explained and stories told.
Went for a hike up to one of the cinder cones. The Chain of Craters Road used to run this way but was covered with lava during the eruption, so a new one had to be built. Wonder how long it'll be before another road has to be built. Saw a mile long fissure that opened up in 1969 and spurted lava into the air. Walked through rain forested that had survived the eruption because the lava flow split. Saw lava trees, where the lava had enveloped the trees and left their imprint.
One of the scientists fell through the lava along this hike, but miraculously survived. Fortunately the lava has solidified fully now.
When you climb up to the top of the cinder cone you can see Mauna Luo, one of the smaller volcanoes. You can also see right down into a crater that has been revegetated.
Went to see some of the other pit craters, some quite recently formed and others older and almost completely grown over.
Walked along the Devastation Trail which is in the lee of the mountains so is quite dessert like.
Went back into the Park tonight to see the volcano erupting. Quite magical! Makes you realize how fragile the earth is!
They get about 80 earthquakes a month in the area and people still build homes and settle here. Apparently these are the safest volcanoes, they are not explosive and the lava flows slowly. They create new land not destroy it.
There is another Hawaiian island growing, already named Lohoi , but it is still a kilometre under the ocean.
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