Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
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Every year Hawaiians gather in ceremonial costume at the
edge of Kilauea to honour Pelé. In 1824 Kapiolani, the Christian
wife of an island chief, tried to enrage the goddess by throwing
stones into the crater. Pelé remained calm, and this persuaded
many to convert to Christianity. When a lava flow threatened
the city of Hilo in 1881, Hawaii's indigenous religion had been
replaced almost totally by Christianity. Awareness and respect
for Pelé was still widespread, however, and an appeal was made
to the Hawaiian princess Ruth Keelikolani to intercede with
Pelé. Ruth did so, and the flow stopped just outside Hilo.
The Native Americans of Oregon believe that a destructive
fire god lived in Mount Mazama, and a beneficent snow god in
nearby Mount Shasta. The two struggled, and the snow god
won, decapitating its enemy. To mark this victory of good over
evil, the crater of Mount Mazama filled with water. Formed
Lava flow in Hawaii
pouring into the sea.
