Paricutin Volcano
Posted by admin in History Paricutin Volcano, History World on May 26, 2011
On February 20, 1943, a crack began in Dionisio Pulido’s cornfield. The trees shivered and the Earth got swollen. The exterior of the earth lifted itself to a height of approximately 150 feet. Vestiges, very fine dust particles and gray smoke started rising from the pointed creation. The earth perpetually whistled a noisy murmur as though it was crying in pain. The stink of sulfur was hanging deep in the air. That very night the lava made a bombarded attack on the cornfields, giving beginning to the stunning Paricutin Volcano.
The volcano gets its well-known name from the community of Paricutin, which presently is buried beneath its lava. The complete village was transferred to an unoccupied area close by. Shockingly, only three casualties have been recorded in the complete history of volcanic outbreak of the Paricutin. Most important volcanic movement of the Paricutin was observed till 1952. At present, the volcanic mountain rests at a elevation of nearly 424 meters. The ashes cone has been calm since that time.
In the initial eight years, the outbreaks were smooth and the lava would cover up merely about a 25 km open area of land. On the other hand, the most recent eruption, which took place in 1952, is recognized to have been the most cruel and explosive one. Even though the Mexican land is well-known for its volcanic activity, the entrance of this new volcano flabbergasted the scientists. However; it is Paricutin which has given volcanologists and scientists an opportunity to learn the birth, life and passing away of a volcano. The death of a volcano involves its extermination and thus also the conclusion of its eruptions. Read the rest of this entry »
Hawaii Kilauea Volcano History and Fun Facts
Posted by admin in History Mount Everest, History World on May 26, 2011
The majestic Mount Kilauea on the Big Island of Hawaii is a shield volcano that began erupting in 1983 and still hasn’t stopped today. Being one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea (which means “spreading) continues to be the main attraction that draws visitors to the Big Island. Located in the famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea’s current on-going eruption draws its lava from 60 kilometers in the earth, through the volcano’s own internal plumbing system. The fiery molten ooze explodes from the tip of the volcanic cone (called “Pu’u'O’o” meaning “high point on the skyline”) and cascades 11 kilometers down the volcanic surface (or “Pulama Pali”) into the Pacific Ocean. This breathtaking image of black rock surface, orange fire, rollicking sea waves, and the smoky volcanic fog that surrounds this natural wonder is an absolute must-see for anyone who visits the Big Island.
Mount Kilauea’s first known eruption was probably about 300,000 to 600,000 years ago; and aside from the eruption that began in 1983, it has erupted 34 times since 1952; these eruptions add about 40 acres of new land every year, explaining the moniker “Big Island,” which if measured from the ocean floor is higher than even Mount Everest. Hawaiian folklore is replete with stories of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, volcanoes, violence, lightning, and dance, who lives at Mount Kilauea (and was, incidentally, cast as a villainess in DC Comics’ 1990s title, “Superboy”). Legend has it that due to some familial squabbles in a house with more 15 siblings, Pele escaped from her home in Kuaihelani and came to the Big Island’s Mauna Loa. Endowed with great powers by the Fire God, Lono-makua, Pele was famed for her deep love and rage towards her family and her many love affairs, also oftentimes marked by rage: many of the young mortals she seduced were not lucky enough to escape the fistfuls of molten lava she hurled at them during her fits of jealousy and anger.
Even after the old religion was abolished in 1823 by the missionary, Reverend Ellis, locals continued to worship and pay homage to the goddess Pele, making offerings of fruit, flowers, and fish to soothe her fury and to thank her for her generosity in expanding the great land of Hawaii with her perennial eruptions. It is believed that the perennial lava flow from Kilauea can pave a road three times around the earth! Read the rest of this entry »