New Views of the Explosive Past of Kilauea Volcano - 2011 AGU Fall Meeting

Explore groundbreaking research on Kilauea's explosive history in this 38-minute press conference from the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting. Delve into new findings that reveal periods of explosive activity in the Hawaiian volcano's 2,500-year past, challenging the perception of Kilauea as primarily characterized by lava flows. Learn about the deadly 1790 eruption that claimed over 400 lives, making it the most lethal known eruption in U.S. history. Discover how recently uncovered evidence has pinpointed the location of this catastrophic event, confirming a 40-year-old hypothesis. Gain insights into the importance of understanding Kilauea's explosive potential for assessing future risks at this popular and frequently visited volcano. Features research geologist Don Swanson from the U.S. Geological Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, presenting findings from sessions V33E and V41A.