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AUTHOR:
MONO AUTH: Duarte, Thomas Ka'eo
MONO TITLE: Ka-waiola-a-Umi Aquifer, Hawai'i; a hydrogeological
characterization
CORP INFO: Princeton University; Princeton, NJ; United States
Bachelor's
SOURCE: 94
REFERENCES: 34
YEAR: 1995
LANGUAGE: English
PUB TYPE: Thesis, Monographic
FORMAT: illus.
ABSTRACT: The diverse hydrological and geological phenomena found in the
Hawaiian Islands have always interested scientists. Combined
with society's demand for fresh water, the climate for
hydrological, geological and geochemical research in the islands
has never been better. Currently there is a keen interest by the
scientific community and the State of Hawai'i in high-level
water. This study is aimed at characterizing a recently
discovered and unusual high-level aquifer--Ka-waiola-a-Umi
Aquifer on the island of Hawai'i. It is argued herein that this
large source of water is impounded by (1) dense dike complexes
underlying the summits, of Huelalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes, (2)
cascading pahoehoe flows, and (3) an ancestral rift zone buried
beneath the flanks of the two aforementioned mountains. While
the dense dike complexes under the summits and the cascading
pahoehoe flows are relatively easy to defend, it is difficult to
prove, with currently available information, that the ancestral
rift exists. However, based on gravity, seismic, aeromagnetic,
and geomorphologic evidence it is argued that Hualalai mountain
is the late stage expression of an ancient magma source (rift
zone) which migrated north due to the growth of the younger
Mauna Loa. The dike complex of this buried rift is put forth as
the explanation for the anomalous high-level water. Well data
and groundwater modeling are then used to (1) deduce reasonable
hydraulic conductivity values for the inferred geologic
features, (2) to examine the effects of different dike
configurations on water levels, and (3) to test the plausibility
of various geological scenarios which could account for the high-
level water. Pump test data indicate that net hydraulic
conductivity values are lower above the inferred aquifer
boundary than in the coastal basal aquifer; thus indicating a
low-conductivity complex rather than a single impounding
structure. After a series of models, it is concluded that the
geologic hypothesis described above can indeed account for
Kona's observed well levels, and a model of the Kona district's
hydrology was produced. Recommendations for high-level well
location are then able to be made, with the Kainaliu area
thought to be the best choice for future groundwater
exploration.
DESCRIPTOR: aquifers; characterization; dikes; East Pacific Ocean Islands;
ground water; Hawaii; Hawaii County Hawaii; Hawaii Island;
Hualalai; hydraulic conductivity; hydrogeology; intrusions; Ka-
waiola-a-Umi Aquifer; Kona; lava flows; levels; Mauna Loa;
Oceania; Polynesia; United States; water wells; wells
LATITUDES: N185500; N201600
LONGITUDES: W1545000; W1560500