QUIZ-of-the-WEEK QUESTION:
Kilauea Volcano is currently erupting.
(See: http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/
for recent photographs. Thank you to Joan Lusk at Brown University for sharing this web site with GEM-SET!)
Q: Approximately how long ago did Kilauea volcano first emerge from the sea?

August 30, 2002

A: The following GEM-SCHOLARS answered this week's question correctly: Alexis K. in VA, Kathryn T. in VA, Kelly B. in PA, Lisa R. in PA, Maggie K. in CT, Ruth O. in NH.

There is no exact answer to this question. Volcanologist do have estimates. The Kilauea volcano probably started to form under the sea 300,000 to 600,000 years ago. Then it emerged from the sea approximately 50,000 to 100,000 years ago. Its current eruption began in 1983, but there have been many other eruptions with one violent one recorded around 1790.

To learn more about the history of this volcano go to: http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/
and click on HISTORY.