Compositions of gases collected during the 1977 east rift eruption, Kilauea, Hawaii

Abstract

Several high-temperature (950-1060°C) gas samples were collected with a new sampling device from lava flows and a vent during the September 1977 Kilauea eruption. After removal of atmospheric contaminants (N2, Ar, O2), the gases are water-rich (90-95 mole %). This may be attributed to meteoric water or be indicative of relatively degassed, partially cooled magma that filled the rift zone. Numerous hydrocarbons in addition to CH4 were present in a sample obtained in the presence of pyrolyzing vegetation. © 1979.