Kazumura Cave Tours

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0418dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>Kazumura Cave </B></div> <div> <B>Guided Tours</B></div> <div> <B>of a Lava Tube</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>808 967-7208</B></div> <div> <B> Reservations Required </B></div> <div> <B> 24 hours in Advance</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0428dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B>Kazumura Cave Tours</B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0428dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B>See the awesome underground splendor of</B></div> <div> <B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>Volcanic flows centuries old.</B></FONT></div> <div>                                                                                                          <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#336600" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>Volcano, Hawaii</B></FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0524e010.jpg" border=0 width="334" height="257" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="4"></div> <div> <B>KAZUMURA CAVE  HAWAII</B></div> <div> Photographs By: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>ROB RATKOWSKI</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Reservations are required </B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>at least 24 hours</B></div> <div> <B> in advance</B></div> <div> <B>808 967-7208</B></div> <bR> <div> About 500 years ago, <I>Kilauea Iki</I>, a crater on the east side of <I>Kilauea Volcano Caldera</I>, started to erupt..  Lava from the crater began to flow down the north east flank of the volcano toward the sea, 25 miles away.  As the lava covered more and more of the surface, channels started to form in the flow.  These channels allowed the bulk of the flow to be carried downstream more efficiently.  Levees would then begin to build up on the sides of the channels followed by the crusting over of the top.  <IMG SRC="05594560.jpg" border=0 width="404" height="598" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="4">When the crusting over was complete, the channels became a <I>lava tube.</I></div> <bR> <div> Lava traveling through a tube is insulated against the cooling effects of the air and can travel great distances with little heat loss.  If you could see lava flowing through a lave tube, it would appear to be very fluid; but in reality it is a river of <I>molten rock</I> that has the consistency of wet concrete.  Like wet concrete, lava is very abrasive.  The walls and floor of the tube are heated to a putty-like consistency and then gouged out by the flow.  In this way a lava tube can become deeper and wider.  Given enough time and favorable conditions this down-cutting can create canyons and <I>lava falls</I>.  Lava can also be forced into cracks or holes in the rock.  This could possibly speed up the process of enlarging the tube.  </div> <bR> <div> Sometimes when lava has been injected into the walls or ceiling it will just remain there until the lava level in the tube begins to drop.  At which time lava will ooze or gush from these holes and can create <I>soda straws</I> or soda straw like formations called <I>vermiform, </I>meaning worm-like.  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="05660900.jpg" border=0 width="608" height="400" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> If during an eruption a hole develops in the ceiling of a lava tube, the hole is called a <I>skylight</I>.  A skylight allows heat to escape from the tube and cold air to be introduced.  This cold air can cause the lava in the tube to crust over creating a tube within a tube.</div> <bR> <div> As lava levels in the tube drop; dripping from the ceiling can produce <I>lavacicles</I>.  As lava levels drop further and the tube begins to drain, air from outside begins to rush in.  At this point yet another tube in a tube is formed.  Lava flowing over the falls is already cooling to a puttylike consistency and begins to pile up upon itself forming an irregular column called a <I>dribble spire</I></div> <bR> <div> . </div> <div> <IMG SRC="0578c510.jpg" border=0 width="396" height="593" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="4"></div> <div>  Thick crusts form over the plunge pools at the base of lava falls and then begin to sag as lava drains away from beneath, unable to support it own weight.  The last tubes to form also begin to collapse without lava to support the weight of their crusts.  Cool air cracks the hot surfaces and in places, rocks fall from the walls and ceiling.  </div> <bR> <div> It can take years for a lava tube to cool.  Plants and insects will have already begun recolonizing the surface.  When the tube finally does cool enough to support life, insects will find their way into the newly formed cave.</div> <bR> <div> Kazumura Cave is just one of several tubes that formed in that eruption which began at Kilauea Iki 500 years ago.  Lava flowed for anywhere from 60 to 150 years, depending on who you talk to, and is quite possibly the reason why Kazumura Cave is the world's largest known lava tube.  With 40 miles of surveyed passages and a vertical extent of 3,602 feet, Kazumura Cave is not only the longest lava tube, but is also the deepest cave in the United States.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>KAZUMURA CAVE TOURS</B></div> <div> Photographs By: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#336600" FACE="Arial" ><B> ROB RATKOWSKI</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> If you are interested in visiting Kazumura Cave, Guided Tours are available by </div> <div> <I>appointment only</I> so<U> </U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS</U></FONT>!           </div> <div> <B><U>808 967-7208.</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Tours are limited to six people and last 2 to 6 hours.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Tours start at $10 per person.  Hard-hats, gloves, and flashlights are provided.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Dress appropriately:</div> <div> <U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hiking Boots or some other well made shoe is required</U>. </div> <div> Lava is sharp and will slice up your feet if they are not covered.</div> <div> <U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Long Pants</U> can protect your legs in the event you trip and fall, or walk to close to a sharp rock.</div> <div> <U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Jacket </U>(optional).  The cave temperature is 61 degrees F. and wet.  Water drips all the time in places, more when it rains.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0598c510.jpg" border=0 width="396" height="593" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="4"></div> <div> <B><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">All visitors must be able to climb/descend a ladder</U></B><B>!</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Children visiting the cave <U>Must Be Well Behaved </U>and accompanied by a <U>Supervising Adult</U>.</div> <div> <U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Be on time or early</U>.  If you arrive late, you may find the group has left without you OR if your party fills the tour, you may not be able to see as much as you would like because your guide needs to get back for the next tour.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>All visitors are asked to observe two rules</B></div> <div> <B> while visiting the cave:</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>1. </B></FONT><B> </B><B><U>Please Do Not Touch Anything</U></B><B>! </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > All lava formations are irreplaceable.  Many are quite fragile.  When a lava formation is damaged or broken, it is damaged or broken forever.  It will NEVER grow back!  Crystals found in Lava Tubes are also quite fragile so please do not touch anything.</FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>2. </B></FONT><B> </B><B><U>Please Do Not Remove Anything From The Cave </U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >so the cave can be preserved for future generations.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Three Tours Are Available:</B></div> <div> 1. Lavafalls          2 hours     Limit 6          ½ mile</div> <div> 2. Pit Room          4 hours     Limit 6          2 miles</div> <div> 3. Maze          <U>Experienced </U>climbers/cavers only</div> <div>                             5-6 hours     Limit 4          2 miles</div> <bR> <div> All tours begin with a short walk through the Puna Rain Forest before descending a ladder and entering the cave.  Shortly after entering you will be shown crystals so delicate that a single drop of water can damage or destroy a crystal.  Moving on a little ways, the passage abruptly ends.  Two more ladders must be descended to reach the main passage 20 feet below.  At this point the <U>Lavafalls and Pit Room Tours</U> head up slope.  After a short search for cave spiders the group moves on to the Lavafalls, four of them, each with their own special features and ranging in height from 5 to 16 feet.  Above the 4th Lavafall is a room decorated with lavacicles, vermiform, dribble spires, and more.  This is where the lavafalls tour turns around. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="05850880.jpg" border=0 width="592" height="392" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <U>The Pit Room Tour </U>continues on from here.  On the way to the Pit Room you will see more decorated ceilings, ascend two lava cascades, pass through the Snake Canyon, and see spectacular formations that defy explanation; but be prepared to clamber over rubble.  After seeing the sights at the Pit Room the group turns around and heads back the way they came.  </div> <bR> <div> After descending into the main passage, The <U>Maze Tour</U> heads downslope towards Eureka Falls and the Sexton Maze.  On the way is Mongoose Falls.  Here the group must climb down a 10 foot drop.  Next comes Eureka Falls, which is 37 feet straight down.  After checking out the drop it's time to put on your gear and rappel down (single rope),  Moving further downslope you will come to Red Column Falls before turning around and ascending a ladder into the Sexton Maze.  The group will leave the Maze by rappelling (double rope) back into the main passage 30 feet below.  Now it's time to ascend Eureka Falls and head back.  </div> <bR> <div> Those wishing to see the Maze will need to bring their own gear.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Caving or climbing helmet</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Headlamp</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Climbing Harness</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Rappelling Gear for single or double rope </div> <div>       Figure 8 descenders are provided if needed.  Bring your own Carabiners.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ascending Gear - <B>Each person must have and be experienced in the use of their own ascending gear!</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00de00f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Knee Pads - recommended.</div> <div>                 ~~~~Ropes , Gloves, and Flashlights are provided.~~~~</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> RESERVATIONS should be made at least:</div> <div> <B><U>ONE DAY</U></B><B> IN ADVANCE for </B></div> <div> <B>    the </B><B><U>LAVAFALLS</U></B><B> and</B><B><U> PIT ROOM</U></B><B> TOURS.  </B></div> <div> <B><U>ONE WEEK</U></B><B> IN ADVANCE for the </B><B><U>MAZE</U></B><B> TOUR. </B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> FOR RESERVATIONS CALL</div> <div> <B>(808) 967-7208 </B></div> <div> <I>between</I> <B>9 A.M. and 6 P.M</B>. Hawaii Standard Time.</div> <bR> <div> <B>KAZUMURA CAVE TOURS</B></div> <div> Photographs By: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#336600" FACE="Arial" ><B> ROB RATKOWSKI</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kazumura Cave Tours "><U>Kazumura Cave Tours </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tour Descriptions"><U>Tour Descriptions</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Required Equipment"><U>Required Equipment</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Location"><U>Location</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>    <SCRIPT>  </SCRIPT>  <form method="POST" action="http://mindit.netmind.com/mindit.shtml" target="_top"> <input type="hidden" name="SOURCE" value="511"> <input type="hidden" name="URL" value="/TlxTransfer.txt"> <input type="hidden" name="DOC_TITLE" value="cavinginhawaii_site"> <input type="hidden" name="REDIRECT" value="/"> <table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"><tr><td align="center"> <font face="arial,helvetica" size="-1"><b>Click to receive email <br>when this web site is updated</b></font></td> </tr><tr><td align="center"> <input type="image" src="http://mindit.netmind.com/images/mindit511.gif" border="0"></td> </tr><tr><td align="center"> <font face="arial,helvetica" size="-2">•<b> Powered by <a href="http://www.netmind.com" target="_top">NetMind</a> </b>•</font> </td></tr></table></form>   </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.trellix.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.trellix.com"><U><IMG SRC="04852280.gif" border=0 width="82" height="40" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>