Wandering Hawaiian Volcanic Hotspot - ERUPTION

Eruption on volcanic flank of Kilauea on Big Island

 

Volcanic eruptions in the middle of the Pacific Ocean have been occurring for over 80 million years, forming islands, such as the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain, that move along on tectonic plates only to erode and disappear below the water's surface. Meanwhile, the hotspot that supplies the magna shooting up as lava to form new islands migrates at will. The newest Hawaiian island in the making, originally known as Lo'ihi, began its eruption process about 400,000 years ago.

That is one energetic hotspot!

Back in the 1990's is when we first heard about the discovery of the young volcano flowing just south of the Big Island of Hawaii. Exciting news when we thought we'd be watching the growth in real time. Then the timeline of progress for Lo'ihi was announced: it was expected to reach sea level in 10,000 to 100,000 years. Wait time was long, like it's new name: Kama'ehuakanaloa, "glowing child of Kanaloa", the god of the ocean.

  

For above-sea viewing of volcanic eruptions, though, Hawaiian residents have Kilauea, the volcano on the southern flank of the Big Island. Possibly 600,000 years old, Kilauea erupted steadily from 1983 to 2018, its longest active eruption. In July 2024, Big Island earthquakes beneath Kilauea marking seismic activity were felt on O'ahu, a reminder that Madame Pele (goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands) is still active. 

ERUPTION by
Michael Crichton & James Patterson

From my review of ERUPTION: For decades, volcanoes have fascinated me. Seeing Kilauea up close and walking Devastation Trail on the Big Island of Hawaii were memorable lifetime experiences. I knew Michael Crichton would include plenty of satisfying and well-researched information in his story, not only about Mauna Loa but about Madam Pele. As a kama'aina, I wasn't disappointed.

*****

Trigger Your Imagination #WritersBlock

Waikiki - one sure cure for "writer's block"

Living in Hawaii means easy access to beaches and hiking trails, with plenty of distractions that send writers into a quandary about how to divide their time. But "writer's block" is a great excuse to grab a paperback novel or loaded e-reader and head to Waikiki for a bit of sun and relaxation. Something is certain to trigger thoughts of the next best-selling novel.

Recently, I read an entertaining novella a bit out of my mainstream reading genre (and suggested age category of 10-18) Mask of the Vampire by author Drep Code. A member of Hawaii Fiction Writers, Drep is always eager to discuss the background of his writing and the plotline of the story. In Hawaii, he majored in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Chaminade University before writing this intriguing tale of self-discovery.                                                  

Suggested reading age:
10 - 18 years

*****

I am currently reading The Eclipse Killing by Rachel Funk Heller. As a speaker at a recent Hawaii Fiction Writers' meeting, Rachel shared information about her research habits and writing process. Along with a tale of murder set in San Francisco, the novel's investigation deals with astrological symbols and a sex Magik cult. The book's synopsis also promises that every shadow holds a hidden threat. 

As with Mask of the Vampire, I will most likely be reading this novel on a brightly sun-lit lanai rather than late at night behind unlocked doors.

Murder and Magik

Rachel previously published The Writer’s Coloring Book, which is also the eponymous title of her website filled with tools for visual artists to convert their ideas into text. Writer's Coloring Book - Color Your Way to a Complete Novel (writerscoloringbook.com)

*****