Both of the postcards shared this week are used. They were purchased at the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and are Impact, Designed and Distributed in the U.S.A. cards. The number 45069 appears at the lower left on the reverse of the card above. The photographer is identified as VolcanoMan.com.
The trail leading out to the caldera view. Wisps of sulfur smelling steam coming out of the ground
View of the caldera
On a ledge in the caldera we saw these flowers that had been left as an offering to the volcano
When we visited in 2008 the volcanic activity was quiet with just a little steam coming from vents in ground and in the crater. More recently there has been substantial volcanic activity and lava flow. The Park is located on the island of Hawaii and has two volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. It was closed to the public 2018 due to volcanic activity such as, toxic ash clouds, earthquakes, explosions, and road damage. The visitor center and some other portions of the park were reopened to the public in 2020. However, some of the trails, road segments, and the Jagger Museum of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory remain closed indefinitely to the public.
In 2008 it was possible to walk on a trail up to close viewing areas of the Halema’uma’u caldera. We also drove to Chain of the Craters Road where the lava had covered the road before falling into the sea. At that time, it was possible to walk on the cooled and dry, bumpy surface almost to the cliff edge. It was amazing to see green plants beginning to grow in the lava cracks. It was also extremely hot with the sun reflecting off the black shiny surface of the lava. There was a portable Ranger Station with Rangers available to help tourists who might be experiencing heat exhaustion.
Two year old lava covering the road
This was kind of funny, a road closed sign nearly buried in the lava
When it was a liquid the lava ran over the cliff and into the sea when it was flowing. This lava is two years old and solid rock. It was very difficult, bumpy, and sharp to walk upon.
The resilience of life, new vegetation beginning to grow in the lava covered road
Established 1916 in the 1980s this Park was recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site. The main purposes of the park are to protect, study, and perpetuate the Hawaiian ecosystems and Hawaiian culture connected to the area as well as to provide access to Kilaueau and Mauna Loa. Because these two volcanoes are so active, it gives scientists insight into how the Hawaiian Islands developed and also general studies of volcanism. An image of the park appears on a quarter in the America the Beautiful Quarter series released in 2012.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, 2008
[photo: G. Brad Lewis]
This second postcard, above, has the number 61538 at the lower left corner on the reverse. It is also an Impact, Designed and Distributed in the U.S.A. card.
For additional information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawai’i_Volcanoes_National_Park
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