Spouting Horn on Kauai, Hawaii

October 26, 2012

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Photographer: Rick Stankiewicz
Summary Authors: Rick Stankiewicz; Jim Foster

The photo above features a natural blowhole known as the Spouting Horn. It's found on the south end of Kauai, Hawaii, west of the town of Po’ipu. The crashing of large ocean swells upon a flat ledge of black coral positioned slightly above the level of the sea causes water to rush in through a lava tube. The water is then jettisoned out by a small opening at the top of the tube. The result is a fountain on occasion reaching 50 ft (15 m) in height. If there's a quick succession of waves the blowhole generates a loud “breathing and hissing” sound. Hawaiian folklore attributes this sound to a giant mo’o or lizard. Photo taken on January 30, 2006.

Photo details: Nikon Coolpix 995 camera; f/4.3, 1/167 sec exposure.