USGS · 70022059
In search of ancestral Kilauea volcano
Abstract
Submersible observations and samples show that the lower south flank of Hawaii, offshore from Kilauea volcano and the active Hilina slump system, consists entirely of compositionally diverse volcaniclastic rocks; pillow lavas are confined to shallow slopes. Submarine-erupted basalt clasts have strongly variable alkalic and transitional basalt compositions (to 41% SiO 2 , 10.8% alkalies), contrasting with present-day Kilauea tholeiites. The volcaniclastic rocks provide a unique record of ancestral alkalic growth of an archetypal hotspot volcano, including transition to its tholeiitic shield stage, and associated slope-failure events.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
P. W. Lipman, T. W. Sisson, T. Ui, J. Naka. 2000. In search of ancestral Kilauea volcano. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28%3C1079%3Aisoakv%3E2.0.co%3B2
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.