Background Information

To put this exercise into context, here are three web-based resources which summarize background information on Kilauea Volcano and the events surrounding the 1959 summit crater eruption at Kilauea Iki.

• Kilauea. This part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website features information about Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. This resource features text, graphics, and data relating to the geology, geophysics, and natural hazards of the volcano. Information includes current eruption and deformation updates, historical eruptions, volcanic hazards (including a map of lava flow hazard zones), a summary of the ongoing Pu'u 'O'o-Kupaianaha eruption (1983-present), and a geologic map of the summit caldera. (more info)
  
• Summit Eruption of Kilauea Volcano, in Kilauea Iki Crater, November 14 - December 20, 1959. This page from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is a detailed account of the 1959 eruption at Kilauea Iki crater. The site is illustrated with numerous photographs and diagrams. (more info)
  

• Video of Eruption produced by the U.S. Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.