Mount Katmai, Alsaka

Mount Katmai has long been recognized for its caldera collapse. Mount Katmai rises at the head of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes on the upper Alaska Peninsula, along the volcanic front of the Aleutian arc.  It’s a large compound stratovolcano that consisted of two contiguous cones, both beheaded by the caldera collapse of 1912.

Still many people don’t even hear its name. Mount Katmai is 6.3 miles in diameter with a central lake-filled caldera about 3 by 2 mi in area. Mount Katmai was formed during the massive Novarupta eruption in 1912. The sound of the explosion would be heard in Atlanta and St. Louis, and the fumes observed as far away as Denver, San Antonio, and Jamaica." (Robert F. Griggs, National Geographic Magazine, 1917, v. 81 no. 1, p. 50)

In June 1912, the most spectacular Alaskan eruption in recorded history and the 20th century's largest measured volcanic eruption formed a large summit caldera at Katmai volcano. The volcano has caused ten known fatalities due to gas exposure. The caldera rim reaches a maximum elevation of 6,716 feet. In 1975 the surface of the Crater Lake was at an elevation of about 4,220 feet, and the estimated elevation of the caldera floor is about 3,400 ft. The flows were still hot enough to release gases and boil water and would be until the 1980's

Mount Katmai is centered on the regional drainage divide, the edifice is amazingly asymmetrical. It was one of largest eruption in the 20th century, ejecting almost 30 cubic kilometers of ash and debris into the atmosphere. It is well beating 1991 Pinatubo by a factor of 3 in volume and, for comparison, 1980 Mt. St. Helens by a factor of 30.

The magnitude of the eruption can perhaps be best realized if one could imagine a similar outburst centered in New York City. All of Greater New York would be buried under from ten to fifteen feet of ash. Philadelphia would be covered by a foot of gray ash and would be in total darkness for sixty hours. And Washington and Buffalo would receive a quarter of an inch of ash, with a shorter period of darkness.

The mountain is located in Kodiak Island Borough, adjacent to its border with Lake and Peninsula Borough. The massive eruption happened at a vent about 10 km to the west of Mount Katmai. More than 60 hours, the volcano eruption took place 28 km³ of ash flows and tephra representing 13 km³ of magma volume. Mount Katmai consists mainly of lava flows, pyroclastic rocks, and non-welded to agglutinated air fall.

However, very little is known about the historical activity of Katmai volcano before 1912 eruption. The Quaternary volcanic rocks at Mount Katmai and nearby cones are less than 5,000 feet thick. Much of the volcano is mantled by snow and ice and some valley glaciers radiate out from the flanks. The gigantic eruption produced a cloud of suffocating gas and ash that blackened the sky for the inhabitants of the town of Kodiak. The ash falling on them were quickly led to the harbor and evacuated by boat.

In 1919, geologists noted a lake covering a large part of the caldera floor. However at the end of 1923 the lake was gone and many fumaroles, mud pots, and a large mud geyser had replaced it. Please keep in mind that Mount Katmai should not be climbed without mountaineering skills and equipment. Because high winds, regular rain and drizzle, brown bears, icy stream crossings, crevassed glaciers, and particularly its remoteness make the area a true wilderness. But it’s exhilarating and risky, occasionally wonderful, rarely comfortable, and never to be trifled with.

The withdrawal of magma beneath Katmai resulted in the collapse of the summit area, forming the caldera. After the subsidence, a small dacitic lava dome recognized as “Horseshoe Island” was emplaced on the floor of the caldera. That is the only juvenile material erupted from Katmai caldera during the historical eruption. It was visible at the time of the expedition in 1916.

After that it has since been submerged by the Crater Lake. Still, the eruption from Katmai had a VEI of 3, and possibly involved phreatic eruptions. The nearby Trident, Griggs, and Snowy Mountain volcanoes became active long before Mount Katmai, and activity at Mageik volcano began about the same time as at Katmai.

The massive eruption had a decadal impact of wildlife, affecting the spawning of salmon in the rivers near Novarupta for years. The Mount Katmai cluster was built on a set of rugged glaciated ridges, marine siltstone and sandstone of the Jurassic Naknek Formation. The lake has since refilled to a depth of over 800 feet. Moreover, small glaciers have also formed on a bench within the caldera beside the lake. Pumice still floats on Naknek Lake nearby.

Access is difficult because the Katmai cluster lies completely within the Roadless wilderness of Katmai National Park. The only convenient access is by boat or amphibious aircraft from King Salmon to Brooks Camp on Naknek Lake. The fascination with the eruption goes beyond the size of the event.

Modern geology had never seen the deposition of such a large ash flow sheet. So it was the first time geologists could examine first-hand how the sheet cools and welds after an eruption. Overall, the 1912 eruption shows how interconnected magmatic systems in a cluster of volcanoes might be. The area of the Alaska Peninsula is still sparsely populated, but important things occurred nearby actually, directly above: air traffic.

Not only would the trans-Pacific lines be affected by ash of a Novarupta-scale event, but the ash fallout distribution shows that the potential exists for air travel across much of Canada and the northern United States (especially Seattle, Portland, Vancouver) to be halted. Thankfully, the eruption only lasted 60 hours, but it took at least a week for the ash to settle out of the atmosphere.

Today, only infrequent earthquake swarms occur in the Katmai Cluster and many of the hydrothermal features created during the 1912 eruption are dead. However, the eruption at Novarupta does show the potential for a new colossal eruption to occur where none has happened in the geologically-recent past. Hence a reminder of how vital volcano monitoring and research can be in helping notice the signs of such an event well in advance.

 

 

 

 

 

Source: CP

Volcanic Crater of Diamond Head Hawaii

Diamond Head is a famous volcanic crater of Hawaii, located on the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. The most recognized landmark is known as Leahi (brow of the tuna) in Hawaiian. The crater was named “Diamond Head” by 19th century British sailors saw calcite crystals sparkling in the sunshine and thought they had found diamonds on the crater's slopes. These "diamonds" were actually shiny calcite crystals that had no value. In 1898, when the United States annexed Hawaii harbor defense became a main responsibility. One of the major defense forts, Fort Ruger, occupied the Diamond Head Crater. This broad, saucer-shaped crater is now a popular tourist place and hiking destination. Around 1.1 km hike leads to the edge of the crater's rim.

Diamond Head Hawaii has once been an active volcano, but hasn't spewed any ashes for more than 150,000 years. Diamond Head Hawaii has steep 99 steps, and a trip through the tunnel leading to them, as you climb the Diamond Head Trail near Waikiki. Further, geologists believe that the commercial diamond deposits were formed in the mantle and delivered to the surface by deep-source volcanic eruptions. These eruptions produce the kimberlite and lamproite pipes that are sought after by diamond prospectors.

Diamond Head Hawaii crater was formed during a single, explosive eruption that sent ash and fine particles in the air. Once these materials take place, they cemented together into a rock called tuff, creating this massive crater, and which is visible from the trail in the park. Most of the vegetation and birds were introduced in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The crater is 3,520 feet in diameter with a 760-foot summit. The volcano is a symbol of the worldwide recognition of the Hawaiian Islands. Many souvenirs from Hawaii and surf shop logos around the world bear the volcano's distinctive silhouette.

Because of its unique geological history, Diamond Head was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1968. Moreover, in the early of 19^th century an observation deck was constructed at the summit to provide target sighting and a four level underground complex was built within the walls of the crater as a command post. A 580-foot tunnel was dug through the crater wall to provide easier access to the Fort. A battery of canons was located within the crater providing complete concealment and protection from invading enemies.

The observation deck and underground complex is now abandoned with the advent of radar but evidence of the command post is still present along Diamond Head Trail. A 1975 televised game show, The Diamond Head Game was set at Diamond Head. Diamond Head is an extinct volcano and one of the most photographed attractions in Oahu. In fact, it is a worldwide symbol of Hawaii and Waikiki, made popular in many movies, wall calendars and on postcards.

 Diamond Head Volcanic Crater hike takes 1.5 to 2 hours round-trip, and suggested that hikers bring adequate water, sunscreen and a hat. Although it is not very difficult, but never underestimate as hike is not a casual one. The mostly unpaved trail winds over uneven rock, ascends 74 steps, then through a tunnel and up another steep 99 steps. Further, the there is a small lighted tunnel to a narrow spiral staircase about 30 steps inside a coastal artillery observation platform built in 1908. From the summit above the observation platform both Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean can be seen in detail. Hence, if you want to hike at Diamond Head then it is highly recommended to come early to avoid the crowds and hot temperatures.

The Doomsday Bunkers of South Dakota

No one can sense unforeseeable future. The nuclear war or biological warfare destroyed human being. The catastrophic war can killed most living beings and wipe out earth with radioactive fallout. Hence, in South Dakota, about 8 miles south of the town of Edgemont United States plan to save a small population of 5000 human beings in a remote underground shelter would be one of the few surviving pockets of civilization scattered throughout America. These Doomsday Bunkers are equipped with protection against everything from bombs to bio-hazards. The company's latest offering, the XPoint, is advertised as the largest 'prepper' community on Earth.

The plan is proposed by California based survival company Vivos. Few years back the company acquired 18 square miles complex called Black Hills Ordance Depot. Which is completely retrofitted with full amenities like an internal power generation system, deep water wells, biological, chemical and radiation air filtration systems, sewage discharge, and critical support equipment?

The Doomsday Bunker Design contains over five hundred nuclear-hardened concrete military bunkers, to some extent buried underground and protected by thick berms of earth, to resist a surface blast wave, as well as radioactive fallout. This area is strategically and centrally located in one of the safest areas of North America, at a high and dry altitude of 3,800+/- feet, well inland from all large bodies of water, and 100+/- miles from the nearest known military nuclear targets,” Vivos says on their website. Instead of windows, LEDs are placed inside the bunkers to simulate the different views of the outside world.

Therefore, every bunker is accomplished of withstanding a 500,000-pound internal blast. Each bunker is 26ft wide and 80ft long and can accommodate 10 to 20 people and the needed supplies for a year or more. The bunkers are separated from each other by an average of 400 feet in all directions that will work in their favor by providing security, protection and privacy. The Black Hills Ordnance Depot (BHOD) was constructed in 1942 and originally functioned as munitions storage facility during the Second World War and the Cold War period.

The survival bunkers were called Igloos because of their characteristic shape. The complex was once spread over 33 square miles and contained over 800 igloos and all the amenities of a well-planned town including living quarters for over 1,000 people, an Army hospital, a post office, church, shopping center, movie theater, including a theater, swimming pool, bowling alley and other mainstays of a small American town.

The survival bunkers igloos held all types of ammunition including chemical weapons and the deadly sarin and mustard gas. The history of World War II reveals, the site also held Italian prisoners of war. After the serving its object, the facility was closed in 1967. These bunkers were used by the Army in 1942 and built with reinforced concrete to withstand a 500,000-ton blast. Peoples can now lease the bunkers to be used as shelters in the wake of a disastrous event.

In case of any nuclear war, a viral pandemic or an asteroid strike at one-time upfront payment of $25,000 per bunker, plus a 99-year lease of $1,000 per year. Moreover, shared bunkers are also available at $7,500 per person. Aside from the facility at South Dakota, Vivos also has shelters in the state of Indiana in a Cold War era bunker adept of accommodating about eighty people. Moreover, Vivos is also building a luxury private shelter in an underground complex in Rothenstein, Germany. Source: Charismatic Planet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sliding Glass Rock, A Refreshing Area For Sliding Lovers

In North Carolina, near Brevard a sliding rock waterfall attracted thousands of visitors to take a slide all the way down the waterfall into plunge pool. Sliding Rock is a small slide type waterfall on looking glass creek. Sliding Glass Rock has a gentle slope of 60 ft long ending in an 8’ big deep pool at the bottom. On average, 11,000 gallons of water per minute power this natural wonder. People and families have been coming to Sliding Rock NC for some summertime water fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Sliding Glass Rock is one of most visited place in Pisgah National Forest. The crystal clear water is very cold but refreshing and popular for cooling off in the summer. The Sliding Glass Rock has long been used as a natural water slide for adventurous lovers. The two fun viewing platforms steps down to the pool and railing to support climb the rocks on the left side before sliding down. Tourists are allowed to take sliding down in a sitting position only. This is a heavily used recreation area which often fills to capacity. The best time to come in early in order to avoid rush which take place 12noon till 4pm.

No floatation devices like tubes, floaties or noodles are allowed. Only life jackets are permitted. The Sliding Glass Rock recreation area may close due to heavy rainfall, lighting is detected, and higher water levels. The area has been developed by the United States Forest Service into a famous recreation area. Moreover, parking is well available in a large lot above the rock and beside U.S. Highway 276. A restroom and changing room facility is available and a lifeguard is periodically on duty especially during summer weekends. You can slide during offseason times, but the water is colder than usual and there are no lifeguards or staff on duty.

In case if you are afraid of sliding down then there are a number of observation areas and decks with benches and seats, where you can relax and watch people sliding.  Because watching the children and people having a nice time to a great way to relax. If Sliding Rock is too busy, then it is recommended to take a quick drive over to Looking Glass Falls, which has a large swimmable basin at the bottom. Source: Charismatic Planet

Santa Elena Canyon, The Most Dramatic Place in U.S.

The lovely Santa Elena Canyon is most inspiring natural feature in Big Bend National Park. It is visible for more than 10 miles away cutting through the mountains via a deep narrow gorge. Santa Elan Canyon is quite a long distance 30 miles however a short nature trail enters its shady depths, eight miles west of Castolon, accessible by either Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive or the Old Maverick Road. Some are really quite winding and steep.

Santa Elena Canyon downstream is most popular area for one to three day trip, easily accessed by car. It is often considered most dramatic place has the tallest cliffs forming the canyon wall up to 1500 feet. The nature trail crosses Terlingua Creek, climbs several flights of ramps and stairs and then descends into the canyon along the Rio Grande offers one of the few remaining true wilderness river trips in the United States. Side canyons create interesting vistas, as well as exploration opportunities.

Moreover the area has an extremely dry and hot climate conditions, with temperatures up to 50 °C in summer with little rain. Further, there is a contrast between the desert and cold temperate ecosystems. You should keep in mind that during the rainy season, Terlingua Creek can flood and make access extremely difficult, so it is a nice idea to prior check with Park Rangers for current conditions. Local outfitters offer various trips when conditions allow, and river runners of intermediate or better skill level often go on their own.

Hence, water flow is normally adequate for river trips except during periods of prolonged drought. In addition, beware of flash floods that can raise the river level and flow rates very rapidly after rainfall in the drainage basin, even if it does not rain at the river. The low levels of water can prevent you from rafting along the canyon which is very popular activity here. Even a short distance is worthwhile the canyon feels much more remote and undisturbed once around the first bend when the entrance is out of view. Also stargazing is relaxing activity here as on the clearest nights, around 2,000 stars are visible to the naked eye. It is an outstanding place in North America for star gazing.

Santa Elena Canyon is majestic, towering canyon walls are much taller than in Colorado Canyon upriver a few miles. The scenery is remarkable, and there are numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking in shady side canyons and camping on spacious sandbars. The best way to see the canyon is by raft or canoe. Another scenic, little visited location is Fern Canyon 18 miles below Lajitas, a narrow tributary just two miles from Santa Elena Canyon. This is very narrow and has a pretty white limestone floor, polished smooth by the waters that sometimes flood down the ravine.

It is truly a majestic and gorgeous place to spend a few days. Due to the inaccessibility of the area it is generally best to be well prepared for any and all weather possibilities. The drive up to Santa Elena canyon absolutely breathtaking and it is amazing and once you park and start walking towards the canyon, your jaw just drops at the sheer majesty of it. Definitely a Big Bend must see/do hike. It is most photographed part of the Bing Bend National park. There is a massive boulder on the trail the size of a small house that is nice to sit under on a hot day. The rock formations rising on each side of the Rio are mesmerizing.

It is highly suggest visiting the canyon in early November through mid-March. Which is generally the best time to paddle the Rio Grande? The area may be very crowded during holiday periods or during the winter "snowbird" season, which is also the time most likely to have favorable paddling conditions. Summertime low-water conditions may be inadequate for rafting, but canoes can almost always navigate the river. Moreover entrance permits to Big Bend National Park are required for all vehicles entering the park for river access.

Also riverside camping is available just outside the canyon on the left side of river and right side of Mexican.  Where ankle-deep Bermuda grass is covers the ground, making for a softer night's sleep. Firewood is scarce, if available at all, so carry what you need. Except for campfires, it is generally best to rely upon propane, butane or liquid fuel fires for cooking, personal hygiene and other general heating and cooking needs. Please keep in mind a fine may be imposed for camping in unauthorized areas.

Santa Elena Canyon location is in the middle of the continent and along a migration route, is ideal for bird diversity throughout the year. Northern species migrate here for the warm winter climate, while birds from the tropics range this far north to breed in the spring. One of major highlight is the Colima warbler, is a predominately Mexican species that only nests in the United States in the Chisos Mountains from April to September.


Santa Elena Canyon River Trip is more complicated in the last seven miles while entering the actual canyon. You can enjoy by paddling upstream from the Santa Elena Canyon Trailhead, just a few miles into the canyon, and then come back drown stream. There are a couple of rapids to watch out for, and the famed Rockslide can provide a challenge for even for experienced professionals. Santa Elena Canyon offers dazzling coves and remarkable side canyons that are a veritable feast for your eyes and your camera. So be sure to carry plenty of extra batteries. You may not want to leave Santa Elena Canyon.

Coconino Lava River Cave, Arizona

The Coconino Lava River Cave in the Coconino National Forest, near Flagstaff, Arizona is huge big enough for an individual to walk through with dozens of feet overhead. Coconino’s Lava River Cave is striking, telltale circumference of a lave tube which is more than mile long through solid rocks. Therefore, potholers won’t find stalactites or stalagmites beautifying this hall of echoes just the even arch formed by liquid-hot rock as it traveled through. The cave can range in height from 30 feet and no light sources inside.

The all of a sudden smooth surface area can actually be dangerous, due to difference in temperature between the cool subterranean cave and the hot desert above ground, condensation frequently forms and makes the walls and floors of the Lava River Cave very slick. Coconino’s Lava River Cave isn’t the only lava river cave in the world, nor is it the largest even though it fascinating visitors and geologists alike a unique (Y-intersection) deep within the tunnel. Here is two enormous tubes combines into one, forming an exclusive Y-shape out of three indistinguishable tubes. So, this leads to a dizzying mirror effect that can occasionally be disorienting to inexpert explorers.

The Coconino’s lave river cave was unearthed in 1915 by some lumbermen and named it “Government Cave”. The cave was historically been referred to as “Government Cave” due to its location on the eastern edge of Government Prairie and southeast of Government Peak. Lava River Cave is freely accessible to the general public. Many peoples in the area still call its historic name. The cave is very close to the surface above ground, with holes punctuating the ceiling at times, creating a surface treacherous for walking, but providing beautiful pillars of light from outside while traveling within it. This makes the Lava River Cave one of the most striking subterranean sites in the western United States.

It is believed that cave was formed sometime between 600,000 to 700,000 years ago. The molten lava erupted from a volcanic vent in adjacent Hart Prairie. Therefore, the top sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified. Whereas lava in the middle flowed out, leaving a hollow space to form the cave. Of all these intriguing curiosities, most interesting for adventurers is surely the lava tube long, cave like passages underground, arching in a near-perfect circle so ideal for traveling through, one might think they were man-made. These caves were formed millennia ago as the outside of a giant lava flow hardened, but a still-liquid center traveled through it like an underground river. Until the river stopped, leaving behind a circular tube unlike any other naturally-formed subterranean cave.

Thus due to the temperature change, there is a lot of condensation on the walls, ceiling and floor near the entrance, which makes it slippery. The temperatures inside cave are around 40 °F during the summer, and it is not rare for some of the rocks to be covered with ice. The cave is mostly dry so, bring water and at least two to three sources of light, wear warm clothes and sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and protection. Please keep in mind that this is a remote wilderness site with no services.

The entrance to the cave is around 14 miles (23 km) west of Flagstaff, Arizona. The cave one portions was once defaced by graffiti have been cleaned up. These days more environmentally aware visitors take better care of such a distinctive resource and even report vandals when they see them. The beautiful lava tube cave has a sky-fall entrance, where section of the cave roof collapses creating a skylight and pile rocks on the cave floor, only one-half of the entrance is used, the other may be seen as a very short section. Whereas the cave is open year-round, the dirt roads which lead there may be impassable to cars in winter months or during wet weather conditions. There are no entrance or use fees. Moreover for overnight camping, visitors have to camp at least 1 mile from the entrance of the cave. Source: CP