Preliminary studies for geothermal exploration in Hawaii, 1973-1975

Abstract

This first volume of the series on geothermal exploration in Hawaii has attempted to gather information and data relevant to geothermal resources, which were available prior to the commencement of the exploration program. It is felt that the assembly under one cover of the vast, scattered information will be of service to students of Hawaiian volcanoes and in particular to students of Hawaiian geothermal resources. A narrative account of the exploration program puts into perspective the various stages of the exploration program from 1973 to 1975. The value of this narrative account lies in that it shows how the conclusion was reached to concentrate the exploration program on the east rift of Kilauea volcano as that rift zone showed the most promise of all the volcanic centers and rift zones. The narrative ends at the selection of a drilling site. The geology and hydrology of the east rift has been summarized to include data existing before the exploration program and some of the early results of the field surveys. A literature survey of Kilauea volcano attempted to cover the information available on the volcano. The survey includes recent information published by investigators not associated with the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics. A literature survey of the geothermal potential of the volcanoes on the island of Oahu has already been published elsewhere. A short summary and reference is included in the volume.