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Tai Sing Loo explosion 1924 at Kīlauea Summit

A 1924 black and white photo of a crowd standing at a volcanic overlook with a giant billowing cloud of ash and debris wafting behind them.

Excerpt from a USGS paper by Ben Gaddis: This Tai Sing Loo print has been featured in countless publications about the explosive eruption of 1924. The famous photo may have contributed in no small part to a public attitude that this eruption was spectacular, but safe. In some versions of the print Loo includes a time of 09:13 for the photograph but based on a comparison with other images, the photo was almost certainly taken towards the end of the episode rather than at the very beginning. The photo appeared in the Honolulu Star Bulletin on May 26,1924 with a caption: “The crowd of visitors off the Haleakala and Matsonia Saturday morning witnessing an eruption from in front of the Volcano House. They were warned subsequently by Ruy H. Finch, in charge of the observatory, that it was unwise to remain there."

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Photo by Tai Ling Soo, courtesy of Bishop Museum

Public domain:Full Granting Rights

Image

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Code: HAVO

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii County, Hawaii
Latitude: 19.3775997161865, Longitude: -155.602996826172

NPS.gov Collection

Public Can View

Friday, March 29, 2024 8:45:14 PM

Friday, March 29, 2024 8:49:15 PM

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