Effects of weathering in the landscape evolution of Hawaiian islands

Effects of weathering in the landscape evolution of Hawaiian islands

Knowing when and where do rivers form is important to understanding the response of surface and groundwater budgets to progressively wetter or drier climates. Climate, lithology and biota control the architecture of the Critical Zone through erosion, fluid residence times and chemical weathering. Basaltic rocks are extremely reactive and young basaltic terrains are highly porous — imagine a lava tube! Thus, chemical weathering in these environments can have a large impact on groundwater and runoff budgets.

The Leilani States 2018 Kilauea eruption compared to the Wailuku river at Hilo in the Island of Hawaii seen from helicopter view. How does chemical weathering influence the initiation of perennial streams?