Hawaii – one big geology field trip?
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- Category: Blog Friday - Steve
About a quarter of a life time ago I did a degree in geology, followed by a PhD in Oceanography, and since never really used either. Hawaii has been like one major memory test as I try and drag back facts from a couple of decades ago. It has also been a test of can I make all this stuff interesting to the children. Luckily they have been really up for it.
The chain of Hawaiian Islands is a series of undersea volcanoes that have grown so big they poke out of the sea. The oldest, northern ones are sinking back below the waves under their own weight and accumulated coral. The youngest southern one (the one we are currently on), is still growing as lava continues to flow out into the sea.
Some facts are just made to engage a young mind. For example the white sandy beaches are basically the poo of the coral eating Parrot Fish. The spiky Ah Ah Lava is named because it is the sound you make when you fall over on it.
Of course nothing makes it feel more real then standing next to a steaming volcano vent, or indeed actually grazing your cheek on some old Ah Ah lava.
Lava often has small holes (old bubbles in it) and erupts in huge fountains. This is caused by the release of gas as the magma rises up and the pressure is released. This principle can of course be demonstrated by opening a bottle of fizzy water after a good shake.
While doing my geology degree we spent many happy hours wandering around cold drizzly quarries in County Durham looking at ancient coral reefs. Snorkelling around coral reefs has suddenly given a whole new understanding to what I was looking at all those years ago. Why did not we simply have an undergraduate field trip to Hawai’i I ask? Next time we find some fossil coral or sea urchin back in the UK it will feel a lot more real to the children.
Finally have to mention the rangers at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park who have all been keen, enthusiastic and friendly. The children have been completing their junior ranger programme and this afternoon will earn their very own shiny metal ranger badges. I think they’ll remember Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park for some time to come.
