Hawai`i Volcano Geochemical Data Sets

This is a compilation of published and unpublished geochemical data from multiple sources, organized in a standardized format. The data are available by clicking on the island or volcano of interest below. The text files were created on a Macintosh, so you may need to modify the carriage returns or line feeds to match your system. The files are saved as text with tab-separated-values (.tsv). You may need to specify this in the Preferences for your browser: MIME type is 'text', sub-type is 'tab-separated-value', extension is 'tsv'. Please verify these settings.

Notes:

The data in this compilation are from a variety of labs and were produced by a variety of analytical methods. Because not all sources reported standards data, cross-calibration of the data were not possible. Be aware that interlaboratory differences may exist and use caution when comparing data, especially elemental ratios, as analytical errors may be propagated.
The FTP site name and the directories are subject to change in the future.

Acknowledgements

The data for this compilation are from many types of published and unpublished reports. Over the past several years, Tom Wright and Jane Takahashi of U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) have been compiling an exhaustive bibliography of documents pertaining to Hawaiian Geology, which they made available to us in compiling this geochemical database. We also thank David Clague for complete access to the library and archives at HVO. We are grateful to Frank Trusdell of HVO who contributed an extensive compilation of unpublished data from Hawai`i Island by a number of scientists (please refer to Methodology section below regarding proper use of the unpublished analyses). Funding for this project was provided by the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program.

Available Data Sets

Data are available for the following islands and volcanoes and can be downloaded directly to your computer by clicking on them. If you have trouble with this method, the files are available via anonymous ftp at elepaio.soest.hawaii.edu/pub/kevinj. Please be sure to download the Bibliography file that includes full references to all data in the tables keyed by number.

Hawaiian Arch: The bathymetric swell that surrounds the Hawaiian Island chain, caused by the flexing of the crust under the weight of the islands.
Hawai`i: Hualalai Volcano; Kilauea Volcano; Kohala Volcano; Mauna Kea Volcano; Mauna Loa Volcano
Kaho‘olawe
Kaua`i
Lana`i
Loihi: An active submerged seamount located approximately 30 km southeast of Hawai`i
Mahukona: An inactive submerged seamount located between Hawai`i and Maui
Maui: Indcludes geochemical data for both West Maui and Haleakala volcanoes
Moloka`i
O`ahu: Honolulu Volcanic Series; Ko`olau Volcano; Wai`anae Volcano
Miscellaneous: Ni`ihau; Kaula Island - located approximately 37 km southwest of Ni`ihau; Nihoa Island- located approximately 275 km northwest of Ni`ihau; Necker Island - located approximately 550 km northwest of Ni`ihau; La Perouse Pinnacles - located approximately 750 km northwest of Ni`ihau; Gardner Pinnacles - located approximately 960 km northwest of Ni`ihau; Midway Islands - located approximately 2000 km northwest of Ni`ihau; Tenji and Detroit Seamounts - part of the Emperor Chain Seamounts

Format of the Data Sets

The data set is organized as rows and columns, with the first row giving labels for each column. Each row corresponds to one analyzed sample. References were chosen for the geochemical data they contained. The data was entered on to a spread sheet in the order of general information about the samples, including sample number, location of the sample, author of the original paper, etc. These are followed by major and minor element abundance (units = weight percent), trace element abundance (units = parts per million) listed in atomic number order, and various isotopic ratios.

Major and minor elements

SiO₂	Na₂O
Al₂O₃	K₂O
TiO₂	P₂O₅
Fe₂O₃	H₂O
FeO	CO₂
MnO	Cr₂O₃
MgO	NiO
CaO

Methodology

Sample numbers are given as they are listed by the author in the original paper. Sources of the data are listed by reference number in the Bibliography file. In some cases, the author cites samples previously analyzed and discussed in another reference. Where these occur the original reference is also acknowledged and placed in chronological order.

Unpublished data were provided by a number of scientists for a comprehensive database for Hawai`i Island (Big Island). These data were originally collated by Mr. Frank Trusdell of U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, who contributed them to the present compilation. When using these data, please reference them properly as unpublished data from the original scientist. We will attempt to update references to unpublished data as they are published in the literature. If you are one of the contributors to the U.S.G.S. Big Island compilation and you have published your data, please notify us at the address below.

Special or specific information about certain samples are listed in the "Notes" column, including analytical technique and type of sample, i.e. whole rock or glass.

Iron content is listed as Fe2O3 and FeO, when analyzed separately. Otherwise, total iron content is listed as Fe2O3(t) and FeO(t). The helium abundance listed in the database is a 3/4 helium ratio analyzed over the 3/4 helium ratio in the atmosphere, or, R/Ra. In some references only the 3/4 helium ratio was given; in those cases the number was converted to an R/Ra ratio. Many of the items are empty. For example, while most samples include the major elements and trace elements, only a few have the miscellaneous ratios or Carbon 14 age. However, these columns are included in the standard format so that the information would always be in the same place.

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Revised October 12, 1995