1965 in Hawaii
The year 1965 marked a significant event in Hawaii's history that left an indelible mark on the island's landscape and the hearts of its inhabitants. The Great Mauna Loa Eruption of 1965, the largest and most destructive volcanic eruption in the state's history, would forever alter the topography of the Big Island and offer invaluable insights into the study of volcanology.
Background. Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth, covers an area of over 2,035 square miles (5,271 square kilometers) and stands at an impressive 13,678 feet (4,169 meters) above sea level. This massive volcano, which makes up more than half of the Big Island's landmass, has erupted 33 times since its first well-documented eruption in 1843. The eruptions of Mauna Loa have played a crucial role in shaping the island's landscape and have contributed to the island's rich volcanic soil, a key factor in the growth of its lush flora and world-renowned coffee plantations.
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The 1965 Eruption. On the 24th of March, 1965, Mauna Loa began to stir. After months of increasing seismic activity and ground deformation, the volcano erupted from a fissure on its northeast rift zone, sending lava fountains over 300 feet (91 meters) into the air. As the eruption intensified, lava flows moved rapidly downslope, advancing at speeds of up to 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) per hour.
Residents and scientists alike watched in awe as the molten lava carved a destructive path through forests, farmland, and roads, destroying everything in its path. By the time the eruption came to an end on April 6, 1965, it had left a 13.7-mile-long (22-kilometer-long) swath of devastation in its wake.
Impacts and Legacy. The 1965 eruption of Mauna Loa caused extensive damage to the island's infrastructure, including the destruction of the 1855 Mauna Loa Observatory Road, which would not be rebuilt until 1969. Several buildings and homes were also lost to the lava flows, prompting the relocation of many residents to safer areas.
While the eruption caused significant disruptions to the lives of the island's inhabitants, it also played a pivotal role in the advancement of the field of volcanology. The 1965 eruption marked the first time that scientists were able to monitor and study an eruption from Mauna Loa in real-time, providing them with invaluable data on the volcano's behavior and the mechanics of lava flows.
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As a result of the eruption, new safety measures were implemented, including the establishment of the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, which was tasked with monitoring volcanic activity and issuing alerts and warnings to the public.
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