240 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. 1, October, 1947 
condensation of water vapor in the explosion 
clouds was never striking. The explosions 
must have been produced by relatively small 
amounts of steam. 
The explosions would cease with the ces¬ 
sation of rupturing of the conduit walls. The 
cessation in 1924 may have been due to the 
lava column’s becoming stationary. There is 
also the possibility that the conduit walls be¬ 
come structurally stronger at the level of the 
Ghyben-Herzberg ground-water lens, which 
is assumed to be about 32 feet above sea level 
in the vicinity of Kilauea. 
The above calculations are not intended to 
indicate actual dimensions and volumes, but 
rather to show that a small rock surface and 
a small volume of water would suffice to ac¬ 
count for any of the 1924 explosions. 
REFERENCES 
Duncan, George. The dug well at Olaa Mill. 
Volcano Letter (Honolulu) 477: 1-2, 1942. 
Finch, R. H. The surface ash deposits at Kilauea 
Volcano. Volcano Letter (Honolulu) 478: 1-3, 
1942. 
- Lava surgings in Halemaumau and the 
explosive eruptions in 1924. Volcano Letter 
(Honolulu) 479: 1-3, 1943. 
Jaggar, T. A. Discussion. Hawaii. Volcano 
Observ. Bui. 12 (5): May, 1924. 
-and Finch, R. H. The explosive eruption 
of Kilauea in Hawaii, 1924. Amer. Jour. Sci. 
8: 353-374, 1924. 
Stearns, H. T. Geology of the Hawaiian Islands. 
Hawaii Div. Hydrog. Bui. 8. 106 p. Honolulu, 
1946. 
Wentworth, C. K. Ash formations of the 
island Hawaii. 3rd Special Report of the Ha¬ 
waii. Volcano Observ. 183 p., 10 pi., 16 fig. 
Honolulu, 1938. 
