Puhimau
Thermal Area - John Seach
Location: 1.0 mile along chain of
craters road.
Puhimau Thermal Area
Steam and dead vegetation mark this thermal
area. Puhimau Thermal Area is closed to the public due to the fragile nature
of the ecosystem. Hydrothermal activity in 1936 altered soil conditions
and destroyed the forest. The thermal area covers 12 hectares and is expanding
eastwards across the chain of craters road. A geochemical study conducted
in 1977 showed that there were high levels of mercury, helium, carbon dioxide,
and various sulfur compounds rising from the ground. This indicated the
proximity of magma. There is some speculation that a pit crater might be
forming in the area. Ground cracks were found in 1977 but have not been
present recently.
    
Puhimau Thermal Area - Kilauea Volcano
www.volcanolive.com
Copyright John Seach
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