Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Thurston Lava Tube Just Reopened And We Can’t Wait To Visit
With more than 323,000 acres to explore, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the state’s largest national park — and it’s still growing! The park is also home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive subaerial volcano, and several stunning geological gems just waiting to be explored. There were a lot of natural wonders that were closed off after the eruption of Kilauea in 2018 but after a months-long closure, one of our favorite spots has recently reopened and we absolutely can’t wait to visit.
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Perhaps one of Hawaii’s most well-known lava formations, the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube was reopened to the public this month after the May 2018 Kilauea eruption triggered a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the park, damaging the lava tube.
Several large rocks were dislodged from the ceiling of the lava tube during the eruption and new cracks appeared. Extensive repairs were required — and as a part of the restoration — monitors were installed to examine the cracks and a low-hanging rock was marked in an attempt to prevent head injuries.
Drainage improvements were also made to reduce standing water on the cave’s floor, and now, this unique geological feature is just as stunning as ever.
Lava tubes are formed when a river of lava develops a continuous and hard crust, thickening and forming a roof and walls around the still-flowing lava stream. When the lava flow stops, the remaining lava flows downhill, and you are left with a tunnel.
Also known as Nahuku, this famous lava tube was discovered by Lorrin Thurston in 1913, and it’s Hawaiian name translates to “the protuberances,” referring to the lava tapering hanging structure that once covered its ceilings.
Lit by electric lights, Nahuku features a flat-rock floor and ceiling height of nearly 20 feet in some places. The 600-foot-long cave will make you feel as though you’ve entered another world, and you’ll want to bring your camera.
The Thurston Lava Tube is easily the most accessible cave of its kind in the Aloha State, and the 20-minute walk to and through the lava tunnel is not only easy but quite ethereal as well.
Whether you visited the Thurston Lava Tube before the 2018 Kilauea eruption or not, you’ll want to visit now. The landscape of this breathtaking national park has changed drastically over the last two years and it sure is fascinating to see.
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
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