1977 Map of Makaopuhi Crater

About this map

Volcanic activity and the stark relief of the East Rift Zone define this orthophotograph, which captures the shifting terrain of the Big Island in the late 1970s. The landscape is dominated by massive pit craters, most notably the sprawling Makaopuhi Crater and the nearby Pauahi Crater. Unlike traditional line-drawn maps, this aerial imagery shows the exact reach and texture of various lava flows as they spill toward the Pacific Ocean coastline. This perspective is vital for geologists and local historians tracking the physical evolution of the island's southern shore, where points such as Apua Point and Kahue Point mark the interface between hardened volcanic rock and the sea. The image provides a high-fidelity record of the ground surface just years before significant new eruptions would further alter these same coordinates.