The Charleston, flappers, 23-skiddoo, prohibition, the
Roaring Twenties. So long ago. But look around at
Kilauea, and one still sees evidence of another 1920's
wildness. This one natural and awe inspiring. In 1924
Halemaumau Crater, on the floor of Kilauea's caldera,
erupted explosively for the first time since 1790.
For 17 days, rocks, ash, and dust roared from the crater.
Rocks weighing many tons were hurled as far as a kilometer.
One such block, thrown among bystanders during an explosion
that killed one, is to the left and behind the modern
carefree flappers dressed in twenties finery.
The feature story about this eruption uses contemporary
written accounts and scratchy black and white photographs
in an attempt to bring a feeling of immediacy to those
events of so long ago. That period of explosions may be
over, but there will be others in the future. So, put
yourself in the place of those observing the May 1924
events. The next time, it could be you who write about
and photograph Halemaumau in explosive action.Details
of this 1924 explosive eruption.