Hawaii Volcano Kilauea Ocean Lava Eruption Update - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Lava Ocean Adventures eruption updates of Kilauea Volcanoes active lava ocean entry. Our Big Island lava boats visit Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park from the ocean side, allowing you the best view of lava flows, lava tubes & lava rivers as they enter Hawaiian Waters.

Recent Kilauea Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases

Lavaocean Hawaii Volcano Eruption Update - Volcano Kilauea eruption update

Hawaii, Big Island Lava Tour Photography & Video Archieves 

Lavaocean 2010 synopsis-

December 31, 2011 - Happy new year lava is just inland of the ocean now should enter shortly be there when it happens.

December 1, 2010 - Lava stopped entering the sea after one day of heavy ocean entry lava forced a break in the upper tube structure

November 28th 2010 - Lava from the new Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry continues to enter the ocean in 3 locations with multiple fingers of lava oozing into the sea providing the best view of lava possible. The current bench is growing creating a new delta out from the old Rodger James coastal area.

October 4th, 2010 Lava from the new Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry continues to flow at one location with occasional breakouts along the ocean entry. Our lava viewing by boat tours have been quite exciting over the past couple weeks with pleanty of lava to see.

August 17th Lava from the new Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry continues to flow at two locations the lava viewing by boat is unbelieveable come see for yourself.

July 25th, 2010 Lava is now entering the ocean in high volume over seacliffs with amazing views of red hot lava now available from the our lava boats. January 2nd, 2010 lava stopped entering the ocean. April 29 a finger of lava reaches the sea. Apr 29-May29th the Quarry lava flow, flows high volumes into the sea. A black sand beach was created and at one point it was at least 100 yards wide only to be covered a week later. During this entry Lava flowed over the previous Ki ocean entry bench adding approximatly eight acres of land to the coastline. Until the lava touches the sea, lava is still flowing through tubes, across the pali (hillside) and making a fresh path to the ocean. Come join us on our Volcano Coastal Tour along the remote Puna Volcano Coastline This is your chance to see the newest land on earth. Come experience the breathtaking views of geological masterpieces: sea aches, black sand beaches, lava tubes, landslides, bench breaks, along with a guided tour pertaining to the past 27 years of Kileaua Volcano's eruption and local area knowledge. These clean ocean waters are home all kinds of sea life including Dolphins, Flying Fish (Malolo), Turtles, Monk Seals every day is a new adventure out here in the remote Puna ocean waters come see for yourself.
Kilauea Volcano Eruption updates

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - volcano update - http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php

HVO Eruption Archieves

4 November 2010

An aerial view of Pu`u `Ō `ō, looking toward the southwest

An aerial view of Pu`u `Ō `ō, looking toward the southwest. Although the inside of the crater is shrouded in fume, a distinct plume can still be seen coming from the east wall. This vent has once again become the dominant heat source in Pu`u `Ō `ō since the cessation of flows in the crater several weeks ago.

28 October 2010

Quicktime movie showing a channelized flow

This Quicktime movie shows a channelized flow that broke out of the lava tube early this morning at the base of the pali, west of Kalapana. Even after traveling through the lava tube system for almost 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles), the lava is sufficiently hot to be extremely fluid, and moves swiftly downslope. For scale, the channel is about 2 meters (about 2 yards) wide.

Composite image of the coastal plain near Kalapana

This composite image of the coastal plain near Kalapana combines a thermal image and a conventional photograph. The majority of lava is traveling through the lava tube system to the ocean and is not easily detectable in the image. Sometimes, however, the lava tubes do show a clear thermal signature. For example, several lines of high temperature delineate the lava tube just inland of the ocean entry. Active breakouts are shown by the yellow-white areas on the flow field. Today, there were two relatively small breakouts active. The large area of purple and red colors in the foreground shows the flows emplaced in July and August of this year. These recent flows are inactive but still warm.

Left. A vigorous but relatively small channelized breakout near the base of the pali began this morning around 4 am. The flow near the breakout point is pahoehoe (shiny appearance), whereas the middle and lower portions of the flow are 'a'ā (dull black color). Right. Close-up of the channelized breakout, showing the lava stream near the breakout point and the surrounding pahoehoe.

19 October 2010

Recent breakout on the coastal plain

The most recent breakout on the coastal plain, which began on October 15, is still active in several places along its southern margin. The lighter grey lava flows in the middle of the photograph are the extent of the latest activity. The flow is 550 m (1800 ft) long and runs parallel with the trace of Highway 130 (the road on the right side of the photograph). The majority of the flow is makai of the highway, but another 35 m (115 ft) of the highway was covered over the weekend.

6 October 2010

Quicktime movie showing Pu`u `Ō `ō producing spattering

This Quicktime movie shows the flow that began erupting in Pu`u `Ō `ō crater this morning. The primary vent for the flow was producing small pulsating spattering that had built a small rampart on its south side. The final portion of the video is shown at x10 speed with a wide view, and shows how the spattering vent is supplying the flow.

Summit and East Rift show spectacular views

Left. Near-vertical view into the eruptive vent inset within the southeast edge of Halema`uma`u Crater. The crusting, slowly circulating lava surface was about 115 m (375 ft) below the floor of Halema`uma`u.Right. A vent opening on the north side of the Pu`u `Ō `ō crater floor just after 6 am this morning. By 10:30 am, a lava lake up to 10 m (33 ft) deep had filled the eastern half of the crater.

Left. Another view of the lava lake, this one from the much lower western rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō.Right. A zoomed-in view of the spatter vent taken from the north rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō.

1 October 2010

A new breakout near Kalapana feeding the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry

Left. A new breakout started yesterday afternoon (9/30) near Kalapana. By this morning, the flow had nearly stopped, its front (shown here) barely creeping forward through grass and sparse forest.Right. The breakout was from the side of the lava tube feeding the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry a few hundred meters (yards) upslope from where the tube crosses Highway 130. The photo is taken from the crest of the tube, which forms a low ridge snaking through the flow field in this area. A portion of the breakout point is in the foreground, and the flow extends to the smoking kipuka in the background.

30 September 2010

Awesome views of Pu`u `Ō `ō, flow field above the Pulama pali and Puhi-o-Kalaikini

Panorama of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater from the south rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō cone. Active lava flows (light gray) cover much of the crater floor and are erupting from the degassing vent at the far left.

Left. Close-up view of the erupting vent in Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. Lava is not visible because it is going directly into tubes beneath the crusted surface to the right and feeding small lava flows near the flow front.Right. View of the flow field above the Pulama pali. The Quarry flow rootless shields are to the left; the TEB shield is behind and just right of center; Pu`u `Ō `ō is behind and to the left of the TEB shield (the light-colored tephra of Pu`u `Ō `ō cone is just above and left of center; the plume from Halema`uma`u at Kilauea's summit is barely visible behind and to the right of Pu`u `Ō `ō.

Left. The Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry and delta. The light colored lava on the delta behind the plume is from recent surface flows.Right. A close-up view of the lava stream as seen through a lava tube skylight near the top of the Pulama pali. The lava is moving from right to left, and skylight opening is about 1 m (3 ft) across.

28 September 2010

Quicktime movie showing successive littoral explosions at the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry

This Quicktime movie captures a short period of successive littoral explosions at the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry, where lava exiting the tube enters the water. The explosions were throwing ejecta up to about 20 meters. The video was taken with a high zoom factor from the top of the sea cliff, well away from the entry point and not on the lava delta. Lava deltas should not be walked on or approached, as they are inherently dangerous and can collapse without warning, often triggering steam explosions which can throw rocks well inland. This video from 2005 shows a lava delta that appears to be stable, but rapidly collapseshttp://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/gallery/kilauea/volcanomovies/movies/East%20Lae%60apuki%20collapse%20-%20Nov%2028,%202005-small.mov. As we state in each daily update, ocean entries have resulted in many injuries and several deaths during the current eruption.

One of the many littoral explosions occurring at the ocean entry today.

23 September 2010

Halema`uma`u maintains same basic geometry since February

The lava lake at Halema`uma`u has maintained the same basic geometry since February of this year. This thermal image was taken during a helicopter overflight, and shows the lava surface deep within the vent cavity. The lava surface is kidney-shaped and approximately 60 x 90 meters in size, and situated about 170 meters below the rim of the vent cavity. Lava upwells at the north margin of the lake (upper-right), and downwells at an area of vigorous spattering along the south margin (bright white area in lower-left).

21 September 2010

Quicktime movie showing active lava lake deep within the vent cavity at Halema`uma`u crater

The lava lake deep within the vent cavity at Halema`uma`u crater remains active, with ongoing degassing and circulation of lava. This Quicktime movie shows the view in the vent today with a thermal camera, and the video is set at x4 speed to better show the slowly moving lava surface. Today, the lava surface was moving at a rate of about 18 meters per minute (or about 0.7 miles per hour).

9 September 2010

Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry produces a medium size steam plume

A wide shot of the coastal plain showing the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry in the foreground, producing a medium size steam plume. Fuming areas on the hillside mark the trace of the current lava tube, which confines the lava until it ultimately reaches the ocean. The road that abruptly ends is Highway 130, which currently hosts the County viewing area.

7 September 2010

Fairly wispy gas plume during high-lava stands provide rare naked-eye view

Left. Over the past several days, the lava surface within the vent in Halema`uma`u has occasionally, and temporarily, reached to within about 115 m (375 ft) below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, as seen in this photo. During these high-lava stands, the gas plume is generally fairly wispy, providing the rare naked-eye view of the lava surface. The far (north) side of the vent is still profoundly overhung. Rocks that fall from the rim of the vent at the top of the image strike the lava lake out of sight of the camera below the vent rim at the bottom of the image.Right. The largely crusted surface of the lava lake in the Halema`uma`u vent slowly moves from north (top of the photo) to south. During high lava stands, like that shown here, this circulation is so slow as to be nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.

Kīlauea's active summit vent is on the southeast side of Halema`umau Crater. In this photo, the floor of Halema`uma`u stretches out beyond the vent, and the summit of Kīlauea Volcano is at upper right. The observation tower at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is the highest bump in the photo at Kīlauea's summit.

3 September 2010

A look into a not so fumy Pu`u `Ō `ō and the Puhi-o-Kalaikini entry continues a large plume

Pu`u `Ō `ō was not as fumy today as usual, allowing decent views of the crater floor. The Pu`u `Ō `ō webcam, GPS station, and other equipment are the white dots on the crater rim.

Left. The Puhi-o-Kalaikini entry continues to put up a large plume just west of Kalapana Gardens. No active lava flows have been reported on coastal flats in nearly 2 weeks.Right. The small western entry point at Puhi-o-Kalaikini stopped this week, leaving just main entry point at the central tip of the delta. The delta is now 985 m (3230 ft) long and reaches up to about 170 m (560 ft) out into the ocean from the old sea cliff. It has a surface area of 28 acres.

17 August 2010

Breakout reached the end of Highway 130 and lava slowly oozing from the edge of the flow consumes a piece of shrubbery

Left. By August 17, the breakout which started on August 16 had reached the end Highway 130. The flows, however, had slowed considerably and were making little forward progress.Right. Lava was only slowly oozing from the edge of the flow adjacent to the road. In this photo, a piece of shrubbery is slowly consumed by the lava.

16 August 2010

Lava burns through thick brush near Kalapana Gardens

Left. Lava burns through thick brush just north of Highway 130, near Kalapana Gardens.Right. Close up of the previous view.

14 August 2010

Plume from the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry is visible from Highway 130

The plume from the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry is easily visible from Highway 130, on the hill descending towards Kalapana. Just in front of the ocean entry plume, the houses of Kalapana Gardens subdivision can be seen on the 1990 lava flows.

13 August 2010

Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry continues to host a medium size steam plume

The Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry, which is almost 1 km (0.6 mi) long, continues to host a medium size steam plume near the center of the delta. Hidden from view in this photograph, another small plume to the west rises from the same delta, where a stream of lava enters the ocean.

6 August 2010

Thermal/visible image of the Kalapana area

This composite image of the Kalapana area combines a thermal image and a normal photograph. The areas of recent, but inactive, lava are shown by red and purple colors, while the yellow and white colors show areas of active breakouts.

Awesome views into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and `Ili`ili and Puhiokalaikini ocean entries

Left. Steep view looking west into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The dominant degassing, obvious in this photo, is from a hole on the eastern wall of the crater. Right. View looking toward the ocean entries in the distance. The 'Ili'ili entry is marked by the tiny plume to the left. The very broad Puhiokalaikini entry comprises the rest of the plumes along the shoreline. The tube system feeding the ocean entries is delineated by the fume in the foreground.

Left. View looking southwest across the Kalapana Gardens subdivision toward the ocean entries in the background. The slightly lighter-colored surface just past the houses and topped by burned trees marks the area recently covered by lava. Right. Close-up view of the Puhiokalaikini entry.

Close-up view of the 'Ili'ili entry.

5 August 2010

Puhiokalaikini ocean entry continued to build its delta

The western ocean entry, named Puhiokalaikini, has continued to build its delta to the west. Over the past day, lava filled in this small bay at a remarkable rate. The promontory in the upper right corner of the photograph hosted a popular fishing spot.

Left. In addition to filling in several small bays, the lava infiltrated small caves in the seacliff as well. Just a week ago this was a blowhole that occasionally shot seawater high into the air. Fresh lava, visible at the bottom of the pit, has since filled in the cave connecting the blowhole to the sea. Right. The Puhiokalaikini entry also continued to expand eastward, as small pahoehoe toes advanced on the new black sand beach below the seacliff.

3 August 2010

Awesome views of ocean entry deltas near Kalapana and `Ili`ili

Left. View of the western edge of the western ocean entry delta near Kalapana.Right. View of lava dripping into the ocean on the western edge of the `Ili`ili ocean entry delta

2 August 2010

A HVO geologist photographs a small breakout and a pāhoehoe toe oozes onto the road

Left. An HVO geologist photographs a small breakout covering the last stretch of exposed asphalt near the intersection of highways 130 and 137, just west of the current County lava viewing area. Right. A pāhoehoe toe oozes onto the road, igniting the asphalt and nearby brush.

27 July 2010 - Lava Ocean Adventures UPDATE

Second finger of lava overtopped the Hakuma horst

Lava begins to sprawl out across the new Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry canvassing the coastline with rivers of red hot lava a lava lovers dream come true. A 200 meter wide lava flow display of lava entering the ocean.

14 August 2010

Plume from the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry is visible from Highway 130

The plume from the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry is easily visible from Highway 130, on the hill descending towards Kalapana. Just in front of the ocean entry plume, the houses of Kalapana Gardens subdivision can be seen on the 1990 lava flows.

13 August 2010

Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry continues to host a medium size steam plume

The Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry, which is almost 1 km (0.6 mi) long, continues to host a medium size steam plume near the center of the delta. Hidden from view in this photograph, another small plume to the west rises from the same delta, where a stream of lava enters the ocean.

6 August 2010

Thermal/visible image of the Kalapana area

This composite image of the Kalapana area combines a thermal image and a normal photograph. The areas of recent, but inactive, lava are shown by red and purple colors, while the yellow and white colors show areas of active breakouts.

Awesome views into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and `Ili`ili and Puhiokalaikini ocean entries

Left. Steep view looking west into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The dominant degassing, obvious in this photo, is from a hole on the eastern wall of the crater. Right. View looking toward the ocean entries in the distance. The 'Ili'ili entry is marked by the tiny plume to the left. The very broad Puhiokalaikini entry comprises the rest of the plumes along the shoreline. The tube system feeding the ocean entries is delineated by the fume in the foreground.

Left. View looking southwest across the Kalapana Gardens subdivision toward the ocean entries in the background. The slightly lighter-colored surface just past the houses and topped by burned trees marks the area recently covered by lava. Right. Close-up view of the Puhiokalaikini entry.

Close-up view of the 'Ili'ili entry.

5 August 2010

Puhiokalaikini ocean entry continued to build its delta

The western ocean entry, named Puhiokalaikini, has continued to build its delta to the west. Over the past day, lava filled in this small bay at a remarkable rate. The promontory in the upper right corner of the photograph hosted a popular fishing spot.

Left. In addition to filling in several small bays, the lava infiltrated small caves in the seacliff as well. Just a week ago this was a blowhole that occasionally shot seawater high into the air. Fresh lava, visible at the bottom of the pit, has since filled in the cave connecting the blowhole to the sea. Right. The Puhiokalaikini entry also continued to expand eastward, as small pahoehoe toes advanced on the new black sand beach below the seacliff.

3 August 2010

Awesome views of ocean entry deltas near Kalapana and `Ili`ili

Left. View of the western edge of the western ocean entry delta near Kalapana.Right. View of lava dripping into the ocean on the western edge of the `Ili`ili ocean entry delta

2 August 2010

A HVO geologist photographs a small breakout and a pāhoehoe toe oozes onto the road

Left. An HVO geologist photographs a small breakout covering the last stretch of exposed asphalt near the intersection of highways 130 and 137, just west of the current County lava viewing area. Right. A pāhoehoe toe oozes onto the road, igniting the asphalt and nearby brush.

27 July 2010 - USGS

Left. In the past day a second finger of lava overtopped the Hakuma horst and pushed through thick vegetation towards the ocean. The flow front was less than 20 meters from the sea cliff this morning. Along the margins of this finger, lava triggered numerous small fires, sending thick smoke through the forest of hala trees and coconut palms.Right. The front of this small finger of lava was almost to the sea cliff this morning, and was burning through low brush along the coastline.

The flows that reached the ocean on July 25 continued to build a small delta today.

14 August 2010

Plume from the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry is visible from Highway 130

The plume from the Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry is easily visible from Highway 130, on the hill descending towards Kalapana. Just in front of the ocean entry plume, the houses of Kalapana Gardens subdivision can be seen on the 1990 lava flows.

13 August 2010

Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry continues to host a medium size steam plume

The Puhi-o-Kalaikini ocean entry, which is almost 1 km (0.6 mi) long, continues to host a medium size steam plume near the center of the delta. Hidden from view in this photograph, another small plume to the west rises from the same delta, where a stream of lava enters the ocean.

6 August 2010

Thermal/visible image of the Kalapana area

This composite image of the Kalapana area combines a thermal image and a normal photograph. The areas of recent, but inactive, lava are shown by red and purple colors, while the yellow and white colors show areas of active breakouts.

Awesome views into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and `Ili`ili and Puhiokalaikini ocean entries

Left. Steep view looking west into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The dominant degassing, obvious in this photo, is from a hole on the eastern wall of the crater. Right. View looking toward the ocean entries in the distance. The 'Ili'ili entry is marked by the tiny plume to the left. The very broad Puhiokalaikini entry comprises the rest of the plumes along the shoreline. The tube system feeding the ocean entries is delineated by the fume in the foreground.

Left. View looking southwest across the Kalapana Gardens subdivision toward the ocean entries in the background. The slightly lighter-colored surface just past the houses and topped by burned trees marks the area recently covered by lava. Right. Close-up view of the Puhiokalaikini entry.

Close-up view of the 'Ili'ili entry.

5 August 2010

Puhiokalaikini ocean entry continued to build its delta

The western ocean entry, named Puhiokalaikini, has continued to build its delta to the west. Over the past day, lava filled in this small bay at a remarkable rate. The promontory in the upper right corner of the photograph hosted a popular fishing spot.

Left. In addition to filling in several small bays, the lava infiltrated small caves in the seacliff as well. Just a week ago this was a blowhole that occasionally shot seawater high into the air. Fresh lava, visible at the bottom of the pit, has since filled in the cave connecting the blowhole to the sea. Right. The Puhiokalaikini entry also continued to expand eastward, as small pahoehoe toes advanced on the new black sand beach below the seacliff.

3 August 2010

Awesome views of ocean entry deltas near Kalapana and `Ili`ili

Left. View of the western edge of the western ocean entry delta near Kalapana.Right. View of lava dripping into the ocean on the western edge of the `Ili`ili ocean entry delta

2 August 2010

A HVO geologist photographs a small breakout and a pāhoehoe toe oozes onto the road

Left. An HVO geologist photographs a small breakout covering the last stretch of exposed asphalt near the intersection of highways 130 and 137, just west of the current County lava viewing area. Right. A pāhoehoe toe oozes onto the road, igniting the asphalt and nearby brush.

Lavaocean Update - July 27th, 2010 Lava's Red Hot

Lava from the TEB vent is flowing through tubes that carry lava down-slope to feed active surface flows in two locations on the coastal plain:

(1) Lava continues to move eastward toward Kalapana Gardens, advancing at most about 100 m (330 ft) in the past 24 hours. Lava is creeping into remaining kipuka at the western edge of the subdivision, and the flow front is 75 m (250 ft) from the nearest structure. Activity observed this afternoon is less vigorous than that observed yesterday, and the eastward advance of lava appears to have slowed.

Painted across the seacliff lava flows in high volume with great views of multiple entrys with palm trees in the background. Lava is still entering the ocean, forming a delta that continues to grow as of tonight it was 300 yards wide with a lava viewing second to none. About 500 m (550 yards) east of this ocean entry, another flow overtopped the Hakuma horst, and, as of noon today, this lava was about 20 m (65 ft) from the ocean. 

(2) Minor scattered lava flows also remain active about 1 km (0.6 mi) west and upslope of the Hwy 137 flow. July 15, 2010

Water has been nice and smooth with great boating conditions. Over the past couple weeks we've seen an increase of volcanic activity. The creation of these lava cliffs here in Hawaii Voncanoes National Park can happen over night but also can be taken back away in similar fashion. The coastline is eroding from the second it is formed. Due to this sites and landmarks change regularly around these parts. Lately the ocean has been alive with enounters with flying fish, Ahi birds, Spinner Dolphins, Bottle Nosed Dolphins and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. The LOA crew is ready to take you to experience the magic Hawaii's newest coastline.

26 July 2010

Narrow finger reached the ocean and lava exiting the tube poured onto growing delta

The rebirth of the lava ocean begins with lava burning its way through ancient lands filled lush junglescapes including Coconut Palms, Fishing Grounds, and into the Pacific Ocean once again. Welcome home Pele! Lava Ocean Adventures Photo ->
A narrow finger of lava reached the ocean just after 2 pm yesterday. By this afternoon the lava had built a small delta, barely visible through the thick steam plume. Lava also remained active on the coastal plain, close to residences in Kalapana.

Left. Lava exited the tube at the sea cliff and poured out onto the growing delta. Right. The finger of lava that reached the ocean yesterday took out numerous trees on its path to the water. This coconut palm was one of many burned and fallen.

25 July 2010 - Lava Ocean Adventures UPDATE

The rebirth of the lava ocean begins with lava burning its way through ancient lands filled lush junglescapes including Coconut Palms, Fishing Grounds, and into the Pacific Ocean once again. Welcome home Pele! Lava Ocean Adventures Photo ->

24 July 2010

More active breakouts along Highway 137 and thick smoke from burning vegetation

More breakouts were active along Highway 137 today, with this lobe burning through a grove of ironwood trees before reaching the asphalt.

Left. The air was thick with smoke from burning vegetation and asphalt. Flows here were crossing Highway 137 and moving slowly towards a residence. Right. View towards the south, showing the recent lava abutting the Hakuma horst, which is directing flows towards the east. The fault scarp extends about 2 meters above the level of the lava here.

23 July 2010

Lava flow reached the north facing scarp and composite image showing the active flow front

Left. Lava flows have reached the north facing scarp of the Hakuma horst (the vegetated segment roughly shaped like California), temporarily stopping flows toward the south, sending them along the scarp to the east and west. If the flows continue to inflate, they will overcome the topography of the horst and once again flow toward the ocean. Right. This composite image combines a thermal image with a normal photograph, and shows the active flow front in Kalapana. The flow is abutting the raised ground of the Hakuma horst, which is diverting the flows to the east and bringing them closer to residences.

22 July 2010

Flows continue to be active south of the Kalapana access road

Left. Flows continue to be active south of the Kalapana access road, heading in a generally eastward direction. These breakouts were active just a few hundred meters east of the County lava viewing area. Right. Scorched ground extended out beyond the flow margins, as the lava triggered small fires that consumed adjacent grass and underbrush.

20 July 2010

Flows continue to be active along Highway 137

Left. Flows continued to be active along Hwy 137, inching closer towards houses in Kalapana. This photo shows an inflated flow front that has ruptured, spilling out the fluid lava within the flow. Right. The advancing flows triggered many small fires, with underbrush burned up to a hundred meters ahead of the flow.

17 July 2010

FLows reached Kalapana access road

Left. Flows reached the Kalapana access road in the past day, and covered about 300 meters of asphalt. The burning asphalt created a plume of thick, black smoke. Right. Flows were also active in kipukas north and south of the access road today, and were pushing through thick vegetation.

This active lobe disregarded the fence and continued south on its way to the ocean.

14 July 2010

Thermal images showing the active flows coming down the pali and at Halema`uma`u

Left. This image is a composite of a normal photograph and a thermal image, and shows the currently active flows coming down the pali towards the ocean. The active flow areas are shown as white and yellow, while older, cooler flows are shown by purple hues. The flows this morning were about 900 meters from the County viewing area, at the end of the Kalapana access road. Right. This thermal image shows the view of the Halema`uma`u vent from today's overflight. The kidney-shaped lava pond, about 90 meters long, is deep within the vent cavity. The mostly-crusted lava migrates from the north (right in this photo), where it upwells from depth, to the south, where is sinks back into the conduit.

Left. Lava flows are once again nearing the County viewing area at the end of Highway 130. The flow front is about one kilometer (0.6 mi) away, burning small patches of vegetation in its path. Right. Lava flows are once again nearing the County viewing area at the end of Highway 130. The flow front is about one kilometer (0.6 mi) away, burning small patches of vegetation in its path.

8 July 2010

Aerial photo looking directly into a skylight

Left. An aerial photo looking directly into a skylight that formed in the last 24 hours. This skylight is located at the top of one of the rootless shields on the upper flow field.Right. Geologist changing the data card from the timelapse camera on the north rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō cone.

1 July 2010

Views of the TEB tube system and the rootless shield

Left. View looking southeast along the fuming trace of the TEB tube system. The growing rootless shield field is in the background just above and to the left of center frame. The low, rounded shape of the shields-especially the shield in shadow to the left-are evident in this photo.Right. View looking the opposite direction (toward the northwest) with the rootless shields field crossing the image just above center. The low rounded shield shape is not apparent at this slightly steeper angle. The terminus of the active flows is just above the lower right side of the photo.

Left. Rootless shields, when active, are often topped by a lava pond, as seen here. Right. Rootless shields grow both in breadth and height through the accumulation of repeated overflows from the summits of the shields. In this photo, a stream of lava is flowing southward down the flank of this emergent shield.

21 June 2010

Activity at Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and the rootless shield

Left. The recent activity within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater quieted over the past several days. This photo shows the new, dark-colored lava that covered the crater floor. A new gas vent on the east wall of the crater (top left) also appeared over the couple of weeks.Right. The new gas vent on the east wall of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater opening up next to an older vent (the dark opening to the right of the new gas vent) that sealed shut in the past few months. The new vent has been incandescent at night for the past few days.

Left. Activity on the active flow field has been dominated by rootless lava shield construction for the past several weeks. The main shield, seen here, is topped by a lava pond that feeds overflows down the sides of the shield. Successive overflows slowly build up the height of the shields. At the time of this photo, a second shield was also active out of sight to the right.Right. A close-up view of the top of the main rootless lava shield. The lava pond at the top of the shield is roughly 100 meters (yards) across.

Left. This photo, taken at the northern base of the main rootless lava shield (the top of the previous photo), shows lava flowing down the flank of the shield.Right. This aerial view of the main rootless lava shield shows the low, domed shape of this type of flow field feature. Sometimes, the flank of a rootless shield will fail, suddenly releasing the lava stored within and feeding fast moving 'a'ā flows.

11 June 2010

Quicktime movie showing action within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

This Quicktime movie shows video taken during today's field visit and overflight. The first portion of the video is taken at the rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater, and shows the north vent feeding the lava pond. The lava surface undulates due to rising gas bubbles, and a small overturn is triggered. The second portion of the video shows an open stream of lava at the summit of one of the rootless shields on the Quarry flow.

Aerial view of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and a striking view of a breakout

Left. Aerial view from above the north rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. Most of the activity was in the center of the pond (lighter grey area), where one of the vents was actively spattering and small pieces of crust were overturning. The two cameras setup on the north rim of the crater are the Pu`u `Ō `ō Webcam (which can be viewed on our website), and the new time-lapse camera that was deployed today. Right. Another view of the lava pond in Pu`u `Ō `ō crater, taken from the southwest rim of the cone. The pond is approximately 75 meters below the visible section of the rim in the upper edge of the photograph.

A striking view of a breakout atop one of the rootless shields on the Quarry flow. Lava is flowing from the breakout point near the bottom of the photo toward the top of the photo, where it reenters the lava tube and continues downslope.

3 June 2010

Gas geochemists deploy a FTIR on Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

Left. HVO gas geochemists deployed a FTIR spectrometer on the east rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The FTIR measures the composition of the East Wall vent gases by "looking" through the plume at an infrared lamp (obscured by fume in this photo).Right. This photo was taken from the lamp on the other side of the plume. The FTIR is the small dark silhouette on the rim across the crater gap.

Left. An aerial view of the new lava pond inside Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The photo was taken from the southeast. Right. One of two small spatter cones that erupted through the crusted lava of a newly formed pond in Pu`u `Ō `ō. This cone is located at the base of the south wall of the crater.

Quicktime movie showing active lava pond within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

This Quicktime movie shows the active lava pond within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater, imaged with a thermal camera. The video is shown at x60 speed, and covers about 25 minutes. Lava is being supplied to the crater from two vents, one visible in the upper right corner of the image and one out of view in the lower left. Crustal foundering events, in which a section of the thin surface crust ruptures and sinks, exposing the hot interior of the pond, are common. This view is towards the north.

Thermal images showing Pu`u `Ō `ō pond, a rootless lava shield, and a geologist sampling the lava from the interior of the rootless shield

Left. This thermal image shows the lava pond within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The view is towards the southeast. The pond is fed from two upwelling sources, one on the south margin of the pond and one on the north margin. Right."Rootless" lava shields are those built over a lava tube, as opposed to those which develop over the vent. This rootless shield was built over the past week, and hosted a lava pond at its summit. Overflows from the pond cascaded down the steep flanks. A short lava flow, in the lower right portion of the image, originates from the flank and represents lava seeping out from the shield interior.

This image shows an HVO geologist sampling the lava that was seeping out of the interior of the rootless shield. The lava was placed in a bucket of water to quench the sample. The top frame is a normal photograph, while the bottom frame is a thermal image taken within a fraction of a second of the photograph. As the thermal image shows, the incandescent interior of the flow, which is exposed as lava clinker spalls off, exceeds 1000 degrees Celsius (1800 degrees Fahrenheit). The geologist is shielding his face from the radiant heat.

1 June 2010

Quicktime movie looking into the Halema`uma`u vent cavity

This Quicktime clip shows video from a thermal camera looking into the vent cavity at Halema`uma`u around 3pm today. The video is shown at x4 speed. At the beginning of the clip, the lava level is at a high stand, with slowly migrating crustal plates and little spattering. Eventually, small scale spattering begins in the northeast corner of the pond, accompanied by vigorous degassing. As the violent spattering disrupts the surface crust, the lava level falls as the gas volume is released. In this example, the lava level dropped about 30 meters (100 feet).

This photo shows the view with the naked eye during the high lava stand shown in the thermal video from today. When the lava is at a high stand like this, the plume becomes very thin and a rare view of the lava pond is possible. Typically, the fume is too thick to view the lava surface with the naked eye, and we rely on thermal cameras to image the lava.

27 May 2010

Lava Ocean Tour Update-

May 24th, 2010

The past month was another exciting display of the lava's ocean entry. Most days this month we've had mulptiple rivers of lava entering the sea. A large black sand beach formed and was taken back by fresh lava shortly after. A once in a lifetime chance to see red hot lava is happening now, dont wait for it to cool off.

Images showing the TEB rootless shield, spattering in Pu`u `Ō `ō, and an aerial view of the coastline

Left. A small rootless shield is forming on the upper flow field over the breakout point of the Quarry flow, the flow that has been feeding the ocean entry for the past several weeks. The shield is approximately 10-15 m (yards) high. This photo was taken looking SSW, with the upslope direction to the right. Right. A small vent on the rubble covered floor of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater was actively spattering today. Light winds allowed this relatively clear view into the crater, when otherwise it would be consumed by fume.

As evident by the small plume at the ocean entry, the amount of lava traveling through the tubes from the vent to the ocean has diminished. The most active area of the flow field is above the pali where the new rootless shield is forming.

14 July 2010

Thermal images showing the active flows coming down the pali and at Halema`uma`u

Left. This image is a composite of a normal photograph and a thermal image, and shows the currently active flows coming down the pali towards the ocean. The active flow areas are shown as white and yellow, while older, cooler flows are shown by purple hues. The flows this morning were about 900 meters from the County viewing area, at the end of the Kalapana access road. Right. This thermal image shows the view of the Halema`uma`u vent from today's overflight. The kidney-shaped lava pond, about 90 meters long, is deep within the vent cavity. The mostly-crusted lava migrates from the north (right in this photo), where it upwells from depth, to the south, where is sinks back into the conduit.

Left. Lava flows are once again nearing the County viewing area at the end of Highway 130. The flow front is about one kilometer (0.6 mi) away, burning small patches of vegetation in its path. Right. Lava flows are once again nearing the County viewing area at the end of Highway 130. The flow front is about one kilometer (0.6 mi) away, burning small patches of vegetation in its path.

8 July 2010

Aerial photo looking directly into a skylight

Left. An aerial photo looking directly into a skylight that formed in the last 24 hours. This skylight is located at the top of one of the rootless shields on the upper flow field.Right. Geologist changing the data card from the timelapse camera on the north rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō cone.

1 July 2010

Views of the TEB tube system and the rootless shield

Left. View looking southeast along the fuming trace of the TEB tube system. The growing rootless shield field is in the background just above and to the left of center frame. The low, rounded shape of the shields-especially the shield in shadow to the left-are evident in this photo.Right. View looking the opposite direction (toward the northwest) with the rootless shields field crossing the image just above center. The low rounded shield shape is not apparent at this slightly steeper angle. The terminus of the active flows is just above the lower right side of the photo.

Left. Rootless shields, when active, are often topped by a lava pond, as seen here. Right. Rootless shields grow both in breadth and height through the accumulation of repeated overflows from the summits of the shields. In this photo, a stream of lava is flowing southward down the flank of this emergent shield.

21 June 2010

Activity at Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and the rootless shield

Left. The recent activity within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater quieted over the past several days. This photo shows the new, dark-colored lava that covered the crater floor. A new gas vent on the east wall of the crater (top left) also appeared over the couple of weeks.Right. The new gas vent on the east wall of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater opening up next to an older vent (the dark opening to the right of the new gas vent) that sealed shut in the past few months. The new vent has been incandescent at night for the past few days.

Left. Activity on the active flow field has been dominated by rootless lava shield construction for the past several weeks. The main shield, seen here, is topped by a lava pond that feeds overflows down the sides of the shield. Successive overflows slowly build up the height of the shields. At the time of this photo, a second shield was also active out of sight to the right.Right. A close-up view of the top of the main rootless lava shield. The lava pond at the top of the shield is roughly 100 meters (yards) across.

Left. This photo, taken at the northern base of the main rootless lava shield (the top of the previous photo), shows lava flowing down the flank of the shield.Right. This aerial view of the main rootless lava shield shows the low, domed shape of this type of flow field feature. Sometimes, the flank of a rootless shield will fail, suddenly releasing the lava stored within and feeding fast moving 'a'ā flows.

11 June 2010

Quicktime movie showing action within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

This Quicktime movie shows video taken during today's field visit and overflight. The first portion of the video is taken at the rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater, and shows the north vent feeding the lava pond. The lava surface undulates due to rising gas bubbles, and a small overturn is triggered. The second portion of the video shows an open stream of lava at the summit of one of the rootless shields on the Quarry flow.

Aerial view of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and a striking view of a breakout

Left. Aerial view from above the north rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. Most of the activity was in the center of the pond (lighter grey area), where one of the vents was actively spattering and small pieces of crust were overturning. The two cameras setup on the north rim of the crater are the Pu`u `Ō `ō Webcam (which can be viewed on our website), and the new time-lapse camera that was deployed today. Right. Another view of the lava pond in Pu`u `Ō `ō crater, taken from the southwest rim of the cone. The pond is approximately 75 meters below the visible section of the rim in the upper edge of the photograph.

A striking view of a breakout atop one of the rootless shields on the Quarry flow. Lava is flowing from the breakout point near the bottom of the photo toward the top of the photo, where it reenters the lava tube and continues downslope.

3 June 2010

Gas geochemists deploy a FTIR on Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

Left. HVO gas geochemists deployed a FTIR spectrometer on the east rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The FTIR measures the composition of the East Wall vent gases by "looking" through the plume at an infrared lamp (obscured by fume in this photo).Right. This photo was taken from the lamp on the other side of the plume. The FTIR is the small dark silhouette on the rim across the crater gap.

Left. An aerial view of the new lava pond inside Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The photo was taken from the southeast. Right. One of two small spatter cones that erupted through the crusted lava of a newly formed pond in Pu`u `Ō `ō. This cone is located at the base of the south wall of the crater.

Quicktime movie showing active lava pond within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

This Quicktime movie shows the active lava pond within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater, imaged with a thermal camera. The video is shown at x60 speed, and covers about 25 minutes. Lava is being supplied to the crater from two vents, one visible in the upper right corner of the image and one out of view in the lower left. Crustal foundering events, in which a section of the thin surface crust ruptures and sinks, exposing the hot interior of the pond, are common. This view is towards the north.

Thermal images showing Pu`u `Ō `ō pond, a rootless lava shield, and a geologist sampling the lava from the interior of the rootless shield

Left. This thermal image shows the lava pond within Pu`u `Ō `ō crater. The view is towards the southeast. The pond is fed from two upwelling sources, one on the south margin of the pond and one on the north margin. Right."Rootless" lava shields are those built over a lava tube, as opposed to those which develop over the vent. This rootless shield was built over the past week, and hosted a lava pond at its summit. Overflows from the pond cascaded down the steep flanks. A short lava flow, in the lower right portion of the image, originates from the flank and represents lava seeping out from the shield interior.

This image shows an HVO geologist sampling the lava that was seeping out of the interior of the rootless shield. The lava was placed in a bucket of water to quench the sample. The top frame is a normal photograph, while the bottom frame is a thermal image taken within a fraction of a second of the photograph. As the thermal image shows, the incandescent interior of the flow, which is exposed as lava clinker spalls off, exceeds 1000 degrees Celsius (1800 degrees Fahrenheit). The geologist is shielding his face from the radiant heat.

1 June 2010

Quicktime movie looking into the Halema`uma`u vent cavity

This Quicktime clip shows video from a thermal camera looking into the vent cavity at Halema`uma`u around 3pm today. The video is shown at x4 speed. At the beginning of the clip, the lava level is at a high stand, with slowly migrating crustal plates and little spattering. Eventually, small scale spattering begins in the northeast corner of the pond, accompanied by vigorous degassing. As the violent spattering disrupts the surface crust, the lava level falls as the gas volume is released. In this example, the lava level dropped about 30 meters (100 feet).

This photo shows the view with the naked eye during the high lava stand shown in the thermal video from today. When the lava is at a high stand like this, the plume becomes very thin and a rare view of the lava pond is possible. Typically, the fume is too thick to view the lava surface with the naked eye, and we rely on thermal cameras to image the lava.

27 May 2010

Images showing the TEB rootless shield, spattering in Pu`u `Ō `ō, and an aerial view of the coastline

Left. A small rootless shield is forming on the upper flow field over the breakout point of the Quarry flow, the flow that has been feeding the ocean entry for the past several weeks. The shield is approximately 10-15 m (yards) high. This photo was taken looking SSW, with the upslope direction to the right. Right. A small vent on the rubble covered floor of Pu`u `Ō `ō crater was actively spattering today. Light winds allowed this relatively clear view into the crater, when otherwise it would be consumed by fume.

As evident by the small plume at the ocean entry, the amount of lava traveling through the tubes from the vent to the ocean has diminished. The most active area of the flow field is above the pali where the new rootless shield is forming.

21 May 2010

Thermal images showing the flow field and a spectacular aerial view of the coastline

This composite image overlays a thermal image on a normal photograph, and shows the flow field in the vicinity of the County viewing area, at the end of the Kalapana access road. Recent flows, from the past few weeks, show up as light red, whereas the currently active breakouts are yellow and white. One active finger of lava was just 250 yards northwest of the viewing area this morning. View is towards the northwest.

A closer view of the County viewing area, looking northeast. Again, the thermal image is shown together with a normal photograph. Recently emplaced flows, from the past several weeks, are light red (center of image). The currently active breakouts, just 250 yards northwest of the road, show up as white and yellow.

An aerial photograph looking west along the coastline of the current flow field. The Ki entry continues to produce a small plume, which is distributed along the newly formed delta. The color change in the ocean near the entry is due to the wave erosion of material from the delta and the lava itself.

14 May 2010

Spectacular views at Halema`uma`u, Pu`u `Ō `ō and the ocean entry

Looking south across Halema`uma`u Crater at the gas plume rising from the Overlook vent.

Left. Steep view of the Overlook vent from over the south rim of Halema`uma`u. The closed and partly destroyed visitor overlook is visible at the bottom of the image. Right. Fume marks the trace of the tube system within the new Quarry flow. The Ki ocean entry, where the lava flowing through the tube system spills into the ocean, is at upper left. The shiny surfaces in the foreground at the center of the image are active lava flows.

Left. Since reaching the water a few weeks ago, the Ki ocean entry has formed a small delta, seen here, with a surface area of about 7 acres. A small steam plume rises above the entry, indicating that relatively little lava is making it into the ocean. Right. The western side of the delta was the most active, with several small streams of lava pouring off the front of the delta into the water.

Left. Early Tuesday morning (May 11), a large slice of the north rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō collapsed into the crater, taking the Pu`u `Ō `ō Webcam with it. The collapse took a large bite out of the rim, seen here at center frame, that widened the crater by up to 17 m (56 ft). Right. This photo, taken on tax day (April 15), shows the north rim of the crater as it has looked for the last couple of years. The yellow line marks the rim as it appears now.

Left. Power and Ethernet cables disappear over the rim of the crater. The collapse left the chunk of rim in the background dangling precariously. It is likely that this slice will join its neighbor in the coming weeks.Right. The floor of Pu`u `Ō `ō Crater, about 100 m (330 ft) below, is now partly covered by a nice new blanket of reddish rubble.

Left. Surpisingly, the Webcam managed to stay on top as it rode the avalanche to the bottom of the crater. When the fume cleared, the broken legs of the tripod (center frame and slightly above and right of center) and the Webcam enclosure (just below the tripod legs at center) were visible on the rubble pile.Right. A new Webcam now sits on the north rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō. A new panorama of the crater, with a different view, will be back online soon.

7 May 2010

Fume at Pu`u `Ō `ō crater and views from the ocean entry

Left. Fume from Pu`u `Ō `ō crater was relatively light today, allowing for nice views into the crater. The Halema`uma`u plume is in the background just below the clouds. Right. Sometime in the last week, a 2-3 m (yard) skylight opened over the recently formed lava tube that is currently feeding the ocean entry. The terrace on the edge of the lava stream hosts smooth ripple-like features that form during lava level fluctuations, when lava rises up and spills over onto the ledge. Flow direction is from right to left.

Left. View of the current TEB flow field. The ocean entry continues, producing a weak plume scattered along the coastline. The lighter gray colored lava is the recent flow that has entered the vegetation and reached the pavement at the end of Highway 130. Plumes from the TEB shield and Pu`u `Ō `ō crater are on the horizon. Right. A closer view of the recent flows working their way down the road and through the trees. The viewing area has been moved back once again due to its proximity to the lava flows and potential fire hazards.

5 May 2010

Activity continue to be active near the Kalapana access road

Left. Breakouts continued to be active on the east margin of the flow field, and hit the pavement of the Kalapana access road today creating thick black smoke from the burning asphalt. Right. Flows reached the pavement where the former gate resided.

Left. Flow expansion over the past day also covered most of the former lava viewing area. The County has since relocated the viewing area farther east.Right. Upslope from the west end of the access road, scattered breakouts continued to be active.

Just south of the access road, active pahoehoe was pushing through thick vegetation, creating scattered brush fires and small methane bursts.

1 May 2010

Views from the ocean entry

Left. The ocean entry that started on April 29 continues, and has expanded in width. Right. One of several lava streams on the shore.

29 April 2010

April 29th, 2010

As of  12:15pm today lava reached the Pacific Ocean. Shortly after our lucky guests were the first to see this new flow entering the sea from the oceanside. Thats right so for those looking for the ultimate way to view red hot lava entering the sea look no further the lavas back. A high volume lava flow sizzled as it met the cool ocean waters on the Kalapana coastline.

Image showing first finger of lava approaching the ocean

Lava first touched the water at 12:15pm, and this photo shows the first finger of lava approaching the ocean.

28 April 2010

County viewing area composite and views of the active flow field

This composite image of the County viewing area in Kalapana combines a thermal image, showing the active flow lobe in red and yellow, with a normal photograph. The lighter yellow areas are locations of active breakouts at the flow margin, and smoke can be seen originating from the flow front where breakouts are burning vegetation.

Left. View looking south at the currently active flow crossing the coastal plain west of Kalapana. The new flow is the silvery lava crossing the photo from lower right to top center where the flow front is burning vegetation. The end of Hwy 130 is visible at upper left.Right. Zoomed-in view of the current visitor viewing area at the end of Hwy 130.

Left. View looking back to the north at the terminus of the active flow as it approaches the forested kipuka at the center of the photo. Hwy 130 is at upper right. The old ocean entry viewing area, open from 2008 to early 2010, is visible near the bottom of the photo just to the right of center. The flows area expected to burn through the kipuka and reach the ocean very close to that old viewing area sometime over the next several days.Right. More distant view looking north at the active flow as it crossing the coastal plain and approaches the ocean. Houses in the Kalapana Gardens subdivision are visible to the right. The lava tube feeding lava to the flow front is delineated by the points of fume at upper left.

23 April 2010

Thermal/Visible images showing advancement of the active flows

This comparison of thermal images over the coastal plain shows the advancement of the active flows over the past week. At the top, a normal photograph from April 15 gives reference. The middle frame, from April 15, shows that the flows were approaching the bottom of the pali last week. In the bottom frame, from today's overflight, the thermal image shows that the flows have migrated southeast into a kipuka several hundred meters (yards) north of the County viewing area.

22 April 2010

Activity continues to burn vegetation in the kipuka

Another tree goes up in flames as the lava moves further into the kipuka. Looking closely, you can see the ash from the tree in the smoke column.

Left. This photo shows the ropey texture of a recently crusted pahoehoe flow, as well as its superior strength as a natural insulator. The crack is still glowing hot but the lava is no longer moving under the crust.Right. The activity continues to burn vegetation in the kipuka adjacent to the trail, causing the viewing trail to be closed beyond the trailhead. The new viewing area is still very close to the active flows.

20 April 2010

Visible/thermal image showing active flows on the pali

Left. Surface flows on the coastal plain were active a couple hundred meters (yards) from the current viewing trail at the end of Highway 130. The flows are burning along the margin of a large kipuka mauka of the viewing trail.Right. While much of the flow stayed along the margin of the kipuka, a few lobes ventured into the vegetation.

15 April 2010

Visible/thermal image showing active flows on the pali

Flows continue to be active on the pali and are advancing southward. The flow front this morning was approximately 1.4 km (0.9 miles) north of the County viewing area. Letters A and B denote corresponding points in the photograph (top) and thermal image (bottom). The active flows show up clearly in the thermal image.

HVO geologist takes an active lava sample from within a lava tube

An HVO geologist takes a sample of active lava within a lava tube. The fluid lava sticks to the heavy hammer head at the end of the cable when it is lowered into the swiftly moving lava stream. These samples are analyzed routinely to track changes in lava chemistry.

8 April 2010

Quicktime movie of lava surface deep within Halema`uma`u

This Quicktime movie shows the lava surface deep within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity, captured with a thermal camera that can see through the thick fume. The lava surface is about 70 meters (230 ft) wide, and remains about 200 meters (660 ft) below the cavity rim. The surface is mostly crusted, with a slow migration from north to south. Small spattering sources occasionally break through the thin crust. Just a few minutes after this video was taken, violent degassing and spattering ensued, disrupting the entire lava surface, and the lava level dropped about 20 meters (66 ft).

Active flows on the pali, east of Royal Gardens subdivision

View of the currently active flows on the pali, east of Royal Gardens subdivision. The corresponding thermal image highlights the active flow area clearly. The active flows are traveling down the east margin of the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) flow field. The flows are being fed by a lengthening lava tube, which is marked by a line of fume. In the distance are the vent (D-vent, at the TEB shield) and Pu`u `Ō `ō.

One small breakout among many on the currently active flow field.

July 21 Eruption Near-view Map: April 8, 2010

Map showing the extent of the July 21, 2007 eruption flow field relative to surrounding communities. Light red is the area of the flow as of April 2, 2010, while the bright red shows the flow field expansion mapped by HVO geologists between April 2 and April 8 (see large map). Flows erupted earlier during the 1983-present Pu`u `Ō `ō-Kupaianaha eruption are shown in more muted colors and labeled with the years in which they were active. The flow front has advanced about 1.3 km (0.8 miles) since last Friday (4/2). If the flows continue on their current path, they will rejoin the older TEB flow field on the coastal plain just west of the current viewing area.

Quicktime movie of lava surface deep within Halema`uma`u

This Quicktime movie shows the lava surface deep within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity, captured with a thermal camera that can see through the thick fume. The lava surface is about 70 meters (230 ft) wide, and remains about 200 meters (660 ft) below the cavity rim. The surface is mostly crusted, with a slow migration from north to south. Small spattering sources occasionally break through the thin crust. Just a few minutes after this video was taken, violent degassing and spattering ensued, disrupting the entire lava surface, and the lava level dropped about 20 meters (66 ft).

Active flows on the pali, east of Royal Gardens subdivision

View of the currently active flows on the pali, east of Royal Gardens subdivision. The corresponding thermal image highlights the active flow area clearly. The active flows are traveling down the east margin of the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) flow field. The flows are being fed by a lengthening lava tube, which is marked by a line of fume. In the distance are the vent (D-vent, at the TEB shield) and Pu`u `Ō `ō.

One small breakout among many on the currently active flow field.

2 April 2010

View of the active vent in Halema`uma`u Crater

View of the active vent in Halema`uma`u Crater. The remains of the visitor overlook fence are on the crater rim just below the vent. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Jaggar Museum on visible on Uwekahuna Bluff in the background. The broad slope of Mauna Loa's east flank forms the skyline.

Active flows from Kilauea's east rift zone

The terminus of the active flows from Kilauea's east rift zone, the lighter color lava seen here, have reached down to about the 1100-ft elevation just east of the older TEB flow field. If these flows continue to push forward, they will likely end up back on top of the older TEB flow field at the base of Pulama pali close to the end of the Kalapana access road.

19 March 2010

Two-year Anniversary of the Halema`uma`u vent explosion

The ongoing summit eruption at Kīlauea began on this day two years ago. This thermal image (white is hot, dark blue is cold), taken during today's helicopter overflight, shows the current vent configuration at Halema`uma`u crater. The vent cavity is about 130 meters (430 ft) wide, and has consumed portions of the wall and floor of Halema`uma`u crater. The vent cavity resides directly below the former Halema`uma`u Overlook, which was badly damaged in the March 19, 2008, vent opening explosion. The active lava surface (about 70 meters, or 230 ft, wide) is situated at a depth of about 200 meters (660 ft) below the rim of the vent cavity. The lava surface consists of large crustal plates—clearly discernable in this image—which slowly migrate from north to south, reflecting circulation in the lava column. A small degassing hole resides on the floor of the vent cavity as well, just south of the lava surface.

16 March 2010

Breakouts resume and continue through the week

After a short pause in surface activity late last week, breakouts resumed over the weekend and continued through this week. Scattered pahoehoe flows were located above the pali, about 1.6 km (1 mile) north of Royal Gardens subdivision.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
Monday, March 15, 2010 7:52 AM HST (Monday, March 15, 2010 17:52 UTC)
This report on the status of Kilauea volcanic activity, in addition to maps, photos, and webcam images (available using the menu bar above), was prepared by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park status can be found at http://www.nps.gov/havo/ or 985-6000. Hawai`i County Viewing Area status can be found at 961-8093. All times are Hawai`i Standard Time.

KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-01-)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Activity Summary for past 24 hours: Kilauea volcano continued with eruptions at two locations. At the summit, lava levels periodically rose and rapidly fell in a deep pit inset within the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater and produced strong glow that was visible from the Jaggar Museum. At the east rift zone vents, lava resumed flow through tubes and fed surface flows above the pali. Sulfur dioxide emission rates from both summit and east rift zone vents remained elevated. 

Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: The circulating and spattering lava surface slowly rose to high levels and rapidly fell three times in the deep pit inset within the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater without regard to the ongoing DI deflation; when the lava is at high levels, several small fountains on the north edge were visible but when the level was low, spattering was seen on the south edge; slightly weaker glow was visible from the Jaggar Museum Overlook last night. 

The summit tiltmeter network recorded the start of DI deflation at 4:45 pm yesterday. Seismic tremor started to increase after midnight with decreases during high lava levels and increases during low levels. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes was within background values. Five earthquakes beneath Hawai`i Island were strong enough to be located - one beneath the upper east rift zone, one beneath the lower southwest rift zone, and three on south flank faults. 

The summit vent gas plume is moving to the southwest this morning. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 600 tonnes/day on March 11, 2010, still elevated above the 2003-2007 average of 140 tonnes/day. Small amounts of mostly ash-sized tephra were carried out of the deep pit in ascending gases and deposited on nearby surfaces.

Past 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vents and flow field: Magma degases through Pu`u `O`o crater before erupting from the TEB vent located 2 km to the east. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 400 tonnes/day on March 12, 2010, lower than the 2003-2007 average of 1,700 tonnes/day. No incandescence has been recorded via webcam within Pu`u `O`o Crater since February 27; incandescence has been observed from persistent points by geologists during overflights of the crater.

The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o recorded the start of DI deflation just before 8 pm last night. Seismic tremor levels near the Pu`u `O`o and TEB vents increased amplitude around 2:20 am this morning. The number of RB2STBL earthquakes remained at background levels.

Lava flowed through tubes and fed surface flow breakouts above the pali. GOES-WEST images showed strong thermal anomalies through dawn suggesting continuing surface flow activity.

Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Kilauea Volcano are available at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php. A daily update summary is available by phone at (808) 967-8862.

A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/

A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php

12 March 2010

No surface flows on the flow field

No surface flows were active anywhere on the flow field today, due to summit deflation and a reduction in lava supply over the past few days. Summit inflation resumed yesterday, and an increase in lava supply should lead to resumed breakouts over the next several days. This photo shows the area of flows that were active over the past week—they can be identified as the lighter colored lobe in the center of the photograph that has cut through the middle of the forested area (the remains of Royal Gardens subdivision). These flows were advancing across the coastal plain earlier in the week. Pu`u `Ō `ō, and its persistent degassing plume, can be seen in the upper left corner of the photograph.

11 March 2010

Quicktime movie showing the active lava pond deep with the Halema`uma`u vent cavity

This Quicktime movie shows the active lava pond deep within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity. The lava is upwelling at the northern margin of the pond (the upper margin in this view), and slowly migrating south towards the bottom of the image, where it sinks out of view. The pond is about 50 yards wide. Small spattering sources appear and disappear occasionally. This video was taken with a thermal camera (white is hot, dark blue is cold), which is able to see through the thick fume. No views were possible with the naked eye today due to the fume, and only loud gas roaring sounds could be heard.

10 March 2010

Thermal image at Halema`uma`u shows the current activity

This image was collected from a thermal camera at the Halema`uma`u Overlook, and shows the current activity at the summit. The active lava pond, about 40 yards across, is situated deep within the vent cavity, at a depth of about 200 yards. The lava surface consists of slowly migrating crustal plates, with a spattering source on the east margin of the pond. The lava surface is slightly deeper than its usual level, owing to deflation during the current deflation-inflation (DI) cycle.

5 March 2010

Lava flow burns vegetation in small kipuka

A lava flow burns what little vegetation is left in this small kipuka at the top of the pali.

Visible/Infrared image of the current flow field

The FLIR image on the right is a close-up infrared image of the current flow field, shown on the left.

25 February 2010

Fume sources on the TEB flow field and an overplating pāhoehoe flow

Left. The upper TEB flow field, looking south. The fuming hole in the foreground is the TEB vent. The other fume sources, which help delineate the lava tube, are coming from collapsed areas down the tube system.Right. A small active pāhoehoe flow overplating an older 'a'ā flow on the upper TEB flow field. There were a few small scattered breakouts above the pali, but the majority of the surface activity was flowing through Royal Gardens and onto the coastal plain.

19 February 2010

Active lava flow continue to creep across the coastal plain

Left. Lava, showing up here as the light colored area, continues to creep across the coastal plain toward the national park, having now reached about 1.3 km (0.8 miles) out from the base of the pali.Right. The lava flows on the coastal plain, which show up as the light colored flows in the foreground, are erupted into the TEB tube system from the D fissure which first opened up in July 2007. This vent is faintly visible as a fuming source in the background near the upper left corner of the photo. Smaller fuming sources between vent and coastal plain mark the trace of the TEB tube.

12 February 2010

Active lava flows within Royal Gardens subdivision and onto the coastal plain

Left. Lava flows remain active within the Royal Gardens subdivision and onto the coastal plain below. The number of surface flows has decreased however, due in part to a probable decrease in activity related to the ongoing deflation of Pu`u `Ō `ō, and because the new lava tube branch feeding the flows is becoming better developed.Right. As the lava tube becomes better established, the surface flows on the pali will probably die out while the flows on the coastal plain continue to move toward the ocean.

The currently active flows on the pali continue to chip away at the few remaining streets in the beleaguered Royal Gardens subdivision. Those visible here are pretty much all that's left, with the exception of one small kipuka out of sight to the right.

3 February 2010

Six channelized flows meander down the pali to the Royal Gardens subdivision

Six channelized flows meander down a steep portion of the pali, burning vegetation in the remaining portion of Royal Gardens subdivision.

Areas of the forest go up in flames as the 'a'ā flow pushes its way through the vegetation at the base of the pali, and flows onto the coastal plain.

Left. The largest and eastern-most active channel spreads out near the base of the pali. Right. As the slope decreases, the 'a'ā flows fan out onto the coastal plain.

29 January 2010

Active pāhoehoe flow in the Royal Gardens subdivision and clear view in Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

Left. The active front of a pāhoehoe flow near the intersection of Pikake and Warrior Street, in the Royal Gardens subdivision. The road in the lower portion of the photo is the last remaining piece of Pikake Street. Right.A relatively clear view into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater, looking NNE. Several persistent fuming sources are visible in the crater, including the source of a small lava flow near the crater's center. The dark area trending east-west at the bottom of the crater is a small lava flow that erupted between January 13 and January 19.

22 January 2010

'A'ā flow stalled in Royal Gardens subdivision

The 'a'ā flow that was active in the upper reaches of Royal Gardens subdivision on January 19 had stalled by today. The flow can be identified as the dark flow terminating near the center of the photograph. The flow front had extended well into the subdivision, almost reaching the level of Plumeria Street. About 400 yards to the west of this flow, at the west end of Plumeria, is the last occupied structure in Royal Gardens, visible by the red roof. Pu`u `Ō `ō can be seen in the upper right of the photograph.

19 January 2010

Thick vog blankets Halema`um`ua vent

Fume from the erupting vent in Halema`uma`u blankets the summit of Kīlauea in thick vog.

Active terminus on the western side of TEB in Royal Gardens Subdivision

Left. Kīlauea's east rift zone eruption site. Pu`u `Ō `ō is to the right, and the TEB vent and upper tube system is to the left and behind Pu`u `Ō `ō. Right.The terminus of the eastern branch of the one active flow above the pali. Pu`u `Ō `ō is at the top in the center with the TEB vent to the right.

Left. The terminus of the more vigorous western branch of the active flow on the western side of the TEB flow field near the top of the Royal Gardens subdivision. Right.Close-up of the front of the channelized 'a'ā flow on the western side of the TEB flow.

14 January 2010

Views into Halema`um`ua vent showing the ponded surface and vigorous spattering

Left. The lava surface rose to its highest level in at least a year. The ponded surface covered most of the bottom the collapse pit in the floor of Halema`uma`u, and was probably more than 100 m across. Right.Much of the time, however, the lava level was much lower, forming rapidly moving river of lava that cascaded into a deeper hole on the north side of the pit floor.

The lava surface was typically topped by vigorous spattering.

Left. The lava surface was typically topped by vigorous spattering.Right.Occasionally, a small dome fountain briefly formed on the lava surface.

Left. At lower lava levels, large lava falls formed where lava cascaded down into a deeper opening. Right.At one point, as the ponded lava began to drain away, a vortex formed on the lava surface. The curved streaks around the spattering point at the bottom of the image show where lava is beginning to move in a clockwise direction.

Left. The lava whirlpool is even better developed here and has migrated toward the north.Right.With further draining, deep opening are exposed on the eastern side of the pit floor and the lava river pouring off into a deep hole on the north side of the pit.

13 January 2010

Quicktime thermal movie showing the entire floor of the Halema`uma`u vent

This Quicktime movie shows video collected with a thermal camera during two helicopter overflights of the Halema`uma`u vent. The high vantage point allowed a view of the entire floor of the vent cavity, which is not possible from the ground. Also, the thermal camera can "see" through the thick fume that normally obscures the vent to the naked eye. The first half of the video shows observations on January 7, when a dome fountain on the floor of the vent cavity was feeding a wide, vigorously flowing lava stream towards the north. The second half of the video shows observations on January 13, at which point the lava stream had disappeared and two degassing holes were active. The northern hole (on the right) appears to have lava just below the rim.

View of Pu`u `Ō `ō and the TEB vent

Left. View of Pu`u `Ō `ō and the TEB vent looking northwest. There is a distinctive separation between the two plumes coming from Pu`u `Ō `ō. The east wall vent is creating the plume closest to the east rim, and the larger plume is coming from a combination of several other vents inside the crater. The TEB vent is putting off the wispy plume in the foreground. Right.Two HVO geologists are standing on the east rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō cone, triangulating the depth of several degassing vents inside the crater. An infrared camera is being used to see the vents through the fume. The plume in the background is coming from the east wall vent.

7 January 2010

View of Waikupanaha lava delta

View of the inactive Waikupanaha lava delta. There has been no steam plume or lava ocean entry since the first weekend in January. The viewpoint of this photo is similar to the Dec 17 and Dec 29 photos on the website (when the entry was active).

7 January 2010

Spectacular eruptive activity deep within Halema`uma`u Crater

Spectacular eruptive activity has been occurring deep within the collapse pit in Halema`uma`u Crater at Kīlauea's summit. At times, a river of lava poured into a deeper plunge pool of lava, which had a dome fountain on its right-hand side.

Left. The bottom of the collapse pit is roughly 285 meters (935 feet) below the rim of Halema`uma`u, from which this photo was taken. Right.Over the last several days, lava has episodically risen up to cover the bottom of the collapse pit, as shown here.

Left. A bathtub ring of black lava record the high-lava mark at the bottom of the pit. Right.The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Jaggar Museum are tiny bumps at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano in the background of this photo.

A particularly clear view reveals the walls of the collapse pit above the lava surface. The lava surface is roughly 200 meters (656 feet) below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater, which is the smooth surface in the background.

29 December 2009

Awesome aerial view comparing Pu`u `Ō `ō with 2007

Left. Portions of the northwest rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō have collapsed over the past few years, with the most recent known collapse this past October. Compare this photo from 2007 to the one taken today-the red line shows where the crater rim is now. Right.Comparison of this photo with the previous shows how much of the crater rim has fallen into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater over the past few years. The most recent collapse in October removed the summit of the cone, reducing the height of Pu`u `Ō `ō by a few meters (yards).

Left. Southerly winds offered decent views of the collapse pits on the west flank of Pu`u `Ō `ō. The TEB vent is the heavily fuming vent beyond Pu`u `Ō `ō to the right, and the active tube system extends to the right out of the image frame. Right.This is the upper-most of several active breakouts from the lava tube system that started over this past weekend. Pu`u `Ō `ō is at the upper right.

Left. Two other breakouts are visible in this photo. The nearer is the lighter colored flow at the center of the image, and it is no longer active. The other is at the base of the pali just beyond and it continues to creep slowly forward. Right.The Waikupanaha ocean entry remains active with its typical white steam plume blowing inland. The Hawaii County viewing area is marked by the white dots just below and left of the image center. The viewing area trailhead is at the white structure at the far right.

29 December 2009

Awesome aerial view comparing Pu`u `Ō `ō with 2007

Left. Portions of the northwest rim of Pu`u `Ō `ō have collapsed over the past few years, with the most recent known collapse this past October. Compare this photo from 2007 to the one taken today-the red line shows where the crater rim is now. Right.Comparison of this photo with the previous shows how much of the crater rim has fallen into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater over the past few years. The most recent collapse in October removed the summit of the cone, reducing the height of Pu`u `Ō `ō by a few meters (yards).

Left. Southerly winds offered decent views of the collapse pits on the west flank of Pu`u `Ō `ō. The TEB vent is the heavily fuming vent beyond Pu`u `Ō `ō to the right, and the active tube system extends to the right out of the image frame. Right.This is the upper-most of several active breakouts from the lava tube system that started over this past weekend. Pu`u `Ō `ō is at the upper right.

Left. Two other breakouts are visible in this photo. The nearer is the lighter colored flow at the center of the image, and it is no longer active. The other is at the base of the pali just beyond and it continues to creep slowly forward. Right.The Waikupanaha ocean entry remains active with its typical white steam plume blowing inland. The Hawaii County viewing area is marked by the white dots just below and left of the image center. The viewing area trailhead is at the white structure at the far right.

28 December 2009

Spectacular Quicktime movie showing a draining event in the lava pond within the Halema`uma`u vent

This Quicktime movie shows a draining event in the lava pond within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity. The lava column exhibited cycles of filling and draining of the vent cavity, with each cycle lasting a few minutes. As the pond drains, lava cascades into a small hole on the east side (right) of the cavity floor. Also, lava that was covering a large bench to the west of the main pond drains back, with large plates of crust sliding over the edge.

21 December 2009

Nightshot movie showing a filling and draining cycle event in the Halema`uma`u vent

Lava within the vent cavity in Halema`uma`u crater continues to be active, and occasionally displays remarkable filling and draining cycles. This Quicktime movie shows the draining portion of one of these cycles, captured in "nightshot" mode in order to see through the thick fume. The video begins with a wide surface of chaotic, agitated lava, with vigorous upwelling and spattering. The lava surface is about 30 yards wide. Eventually, the lava begins to drain into a hole on the floor of the vent cavity, as spattering continues. Each filling and draining cycle lasted about 5 minutes.

17 December 2009

Awesome aerial view of two active areas of Kīlauea, and Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea

Left. An aerial view looking north at two active areas of Kīlauea. Pu`u `Ō `ō crater is in the foreground, Mauna Loa (left) and Mauna Kea (right) are in the background. The fume source near the base of Mauna Loa (at Kīlauea's summit) is from the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent. The wind is blowing the plume trace toward the northeast, partially obscuring the view of Mauna Kea. Right.Although there are no surface flows anywhere on the flow field, lava continues to flow through the Waikupanaha lava tube and enter the ocean.

Left. South winds allow for a different perspective of the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent. Right.A beautiful example of sulfur crystals that have grown around a small fumarole near the southeast rim of Halema`uma`u crater. The vent is about 0.3 m (1 foot) long.

2 December 2009

Cooperating winds show rare glimpse into Pu`u `Ō `ō crater

Thanks to cooperating winds, views into Pu`u `Ō `ō Crater were only slightly obscured by fume today. These photos show a rare glimpse of the rubble covered walls and floor of the crater. The piece of equipment on the rim of the crater is the Pu`u `Ō `ō webcam, which is available to view on the Webcams page of the HVO website. The photo on the left was taken looking south, the photo on the right looking southwest.

Aerial view of the Waikupanaha (large plume) and West Waikupanaha ocean entries. The West Waikupanaha entry spans the coastline where the numerous small, wispy plumes are visible. The entries remain active as lava continues to enter the ocean through both lava tubes and surface flows.

21 November 2009

Quicktime movie showing a small explosive event in the Halema`uma`u vent

This Quicktime movie (at x2 speed) shows a small explosive event in the Halema`uma`u vent at 9:20am. The explosion was immediately preceded by a portion of the vent rim collapsing into the vent cavity. The brown plume rises rapidly from the vent, and in the full resolution video large particles can be seen ejected in front of the plume. In the video shown here, it is possible to see some of these particles impact the crater wall—look for several small white puffs to appear on the crater wall just ahead of the rising brown plume (about 7-9 seconds into the video clip). No ejecta was found at the Halema`uma`u Overlook, indicating that few, if any particles, reached the crater rim.

20 November 2009

Three separate steam plumes merge into one at Waikupanaha

Left. At the Waikupanaha ocean entry (left), three separate steam plumes merge into one as the wind blows the steam offshore. The west Waikupanaha entry is spread out over a larger area with at least 5 separate lava entry points. This photo was taken looking southeast. Right.Standing at the former time lapse camera site on the rim of Pool 1 of the perched channel, geologists measure the depth of the March 2009 collapse. A hammer head was attached to a steel cable and lowered over the edge until it hit the floor of the collapse pit. When the hammer hit the bottom, the cable was marked, and the depth was measured at 16.5 m (54 ft) deep.

19 November 2009

Quicktime movie showing lava within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity

This Quicktime movie shows lava within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity, at a depth of about 200 yards below the vent rim. The lava surface, which is about 20 yards wide, is extremely vigorous, with constant roiling and semi-continuous spattering. Spatter deposited on the walls around the lava surface creates a hot, unstable surface, which can be seen to disintegrate as large blocks break off and fall into the lava.

15 November 2009

Open channel of lava and scattered breakouts at Waikupanaha ocean entry

A small open channel of lava was entering the water at one of two entry points at the west Waikupanaha entry area.

Left. This photo is looking east towards the three ocean entry points active today. The most distant, and most vigorous, is the Waikupanaha entry, which has been active since March 2008. In the foreground are two entry points at the west Waikupanaha entry area, which has been active over the past few weeks. Right.Scattered breakouts, like the one shown here, continue to be active on the coastal plain and are situated west of the main Waikupanaha tube and just inland of the west Waikupanaha ocean entry.

6 November 2009

Lava continues at Waikupanaha and surface activity at Kalapana access road

Left. Lava continues to flow into the ocean at the well-established Waikupanaha ocean entry. About 700 yards to the west (up the coastline in this photograph), the new ocean entry puts off a small plume that is barely visible from this vantage point. Surface flows (light grey flows) in between the two ocean entries were only 100 yards shy of reaching the ocean, but did not appear active from the air. Right.Surface activity continued in several small areas above the Kalapana access road, burning more vegetation in the forested kipuka. The trailhead to the county viewing area sits at the end of what remains of the access road, shown here at the top-middle portion of the photograph.

4 November 2009

Awesome sites at Waikupanaha ocean entry

Left. Activity at the west Waikupanaha ocean entry, where lava reached the ocean this past weekend, continues. The entry spans about 200 yards, with many small lava streams entering the water. Right.One of the entry points, on the east side of the west Waikupanaha entry.

Left. On the east margin of the entry, lobes were advancing over a small black sand beach. Right.Breakouts continued near the County lava viewing trail. This breakout, which is burning a downed hala tree, was about 300 yards west of the trailhead.

3 November 2009

Several collapses exposed more of the lava deep within Halema`uma`u vent

Several collapses early this morning exposed more of the lava pond deep within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity. For the last several days, glowing and spattering holes (top image) have been active on the floor of the vent cavity, at a depth of about 200 yards below the vent rim. At 3:06 am, a partial collapse of the floor created a single large opening within which lava was vigorously spattering (middle image). The opening enlarged further with another collapse around 6 am, which improved the view of the circulating lava pond (bottom image). These images are from the Halema`uma`u Overlook webcam, which can be viewed via the "webcams" link at the top of this page.

Hawaii, Big Island Lava Tour Photography & Video Archieves 

Sept 23rd, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Lava Boat Tour Lava: single lava flow
As the Waikupanaha bench again had a collapse with major vocanic explosions earier in the week sending pumice hundreds of feet into the air. As of this morning lava rivers split into 4 entry zones canvassing most of the current exposed bench area. The north flank had 2 lava flows one dripping and oozing the other a solid fast moving flow. The middle flows wow todays lucky lava tour guest with 2 active lava flows drining clear views of the lava and great photo opportunitys. The south side flow was all steamed in due to an earlier collapse that heat things up a bit. More great lava tours to see Hawaii's Hottest attraction Volcano Kilauea.

Sept 16th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Lava Boat Tour Lava: single lava flow
As the Waikupanaha bench rebuilds rivers spread across the rugged coastline left behind from numerous avalaches last week. This morning a large flow sprawled its way into the sea on the south side of the ocean entry. On the North side 2 rivers of red hot lava glowed in the morning afterglow providing great photos of lava entering the sea.

Sept 10th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Lava: single lava flow
As the W

Sept 10th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Lava: single lava flow
The leftovers from Wednesdays bench break displayed a single river entering on the north side of the flow. The real action though was on the South side where 4 cauldrens oozed into the sea & a gooey river of lava flowed seemlessly into the ocean.

Sept 1st, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Lava: single lava flow
After a few weeks of rise and decline the Waikupanaha ocean entry bench continues flowing with multiple lava flows spread across the bench. The black sand beach to the north side has been covered over by a fresh lava flow.

Aug 16th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Lava: single lava flow
Waikupanaha ocean entry continues with various lava flows spread across the bench. This mornings lava viewing was best on the norrh flank of the current lava bench.

Aug 8th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Lava: single lava flow
The bench has been declining over the past couple days showing signs that might have a collapse happening soon. 2 red rivers of lava were seen

Aug 1, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Lava: single lava flow
A new month & the flow continues to erupt littorial explosions painting the air with red molten lava.

July 31th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Lava: single lava flow
Todays lava display was highlighted with a prime viewing area of over 300 yards where numerous lava flows entered the sea including littorial explosions, red rivers & crystal clear viewing.

July 15th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:clearWind: East Swell: South 2-3 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
All lava ocean entrys continue to enter the sea with a large surface flow making its way toward the ocean. Trips have been quite exciting the past couple weeks thewith regular bench breaks produce great views of lava oozing out of a once sealed lava tube

July 4th, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:clearWind: East Swell: South 2 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
This mornings tour was a great way to start of the 4th of July we had Bombs bursting in air and all. As the bench declines the flow has heated up the past couple days have been extremely exciting with mulptiple river, upwellings, and littorial exposions all happening at once. Two great flows continue to enter the ocean at this time.

July 2nd, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:clearWind: East Swell: South 3 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
Similar to back on June 27 th, 2009 the bench showed major signs of decline including cross sections glowing red hot where areas of the coastline crumbled to the bottom of the ocean. The excitement this morning was on the South side of the Waikupanaha flow. In just an area of 150 meters you could see pahoehoe lava winding across the fragile bench, an underwater upwelling from the pillow lava flowing below the surface, and a large littoral cone spouting lava bombs & tephra 100 + feet into the air at times. If that wasn't enough we also could see the steamy Kupapa'u flow & the north side of the Waikupanaha opended up briefly at sunrise showing a red hot oozing cross section of molten rock that broke off while we were at the south side of the flow. The start to an exciting July 2009.

June 27 th, 2009 Recent lava pictures taken on lava tours

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:overcastWind: South 5 Swell: South 3 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
Both ocean entry Lava Flows continue to enter the sea with the south side of the Waikupanaha entry provideing the show this morning. Four 20 ft high flows drained into the sea with minimal steam for minutes at a time.

June 23 rd, 2009 Recent lava pictures taken on lava tours

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather: Surprisingly clear Wind: South 5 Swell: South 2 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
We sure lucked out this morning at the lava show both ocean entries continued to erupt in high volume. Various lava flows flowed, oozed, and exploded thier way into the sea at both ocean entries. Many signs of the bench continuing to breakoff including large smoldering boulders from recent flows. Our major beaches formed by the lava are also are being swepts into the depths of the sea by the intoduction of our first summer South swell.

June 22 nd, 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather :overcast Wind: West 5 Swell:South 2-3 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
More morning magic happens along the Kalapana coastline. Bumpy ocean conditions pounded the coastline reveiling the massive lava flows that have been hidding for some time now behing thier respecting plume clouds. With the tides still fairly low underwater lava tubes were exposed when waves would retract after striking the shoreline.

2PM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:choppyWind: NE 15 Swell: 1-2 Lava: 2 Ocean Entry Lava Flows
This afternoons lava tour to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was highlighed by Red rivers of lava, littorial explosions, lava bombs, and 2 exciting ocean entrys. Followed by a Hawaii adventure ride home.

June 21st , 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:overcastWind: East 10 Swell: 1-2 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
Happy Fathers Day to treat our dads on this fine fathers day Pele put on quite the show especially at the Waikupanaha entry where clear rivers of lava some 5 meters wide entered the sea. The lava volume was intense occasional explosions sent tepha & lava bombs up in the air then into the lava heated waters. Hawaii Volcanoes Lava Boat Tours provide you with an up close view of lava sizzling into the Pacific Ocean.

June 19th , 2009

4:30AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:rainyWind: East 10 Swell: 2-4 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
The Waikupanaha was the show again with a very clear large lava river entering the sea. As usual fingers of lava parted near the main flow providing breathtaking views of molten lava before the ocean sizzles & creates the steam / plume clouds. Our ultra low tides this morning granted todays passengers with a special look at Hawaii volcano Kilaueas lava coastline especially right at the water line. Come get your red hot lava today aboard one of our lavacats.

June 16th , 2009 Recent lava pictures taken on lava tours

5AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:rainyWind: East 5 Swell: 3-5 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
The Waikupanaha entry was quite the show with 20 or more tubes of lava oozing and exploding into the ocean. When the large swells pulled back the underwater flows burst out lava all over the bench in a quarter mile area. A Hawaii Vilcanoes National Park Tour only experienced by a lava boat.

June 14th , 2009 Recent lava pictures taken on lava tours

5AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:clear skies Wind: East 5-7 Swell: 2-3 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
The lava ocean entries both displayed clear views of multiple lava entry points. After another great moring lava show we headed off on our coastline tour. About half way home we recovered two shoreline fishermen who were swept off the coastline into the ocean at Makiman Point during this weekends J Hara Ulua fishing tournament. This very rough water area is not a spot to be getting out of the water especially during a south swell. It must have been thier lucky day cau e we were the only boat left on the water. A Lava Ocean Adventure I'll never forget!!!

June 12th , 2009 Recent lava pictures taken on lava tours

5AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:clear skies Wind: East 5 Swell: 1-2 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
The bright glow filled the dawn skies as we enter the active lava zone like a campfire in the night. Upon arriving at the flow to our amazement littoral explosions & multiple red lava rivers flowed into the sea at the Waikupanaha ocean entry. The Kupap'u emitted a large tube into the sea in one spot.

5PM- Sunset Volcano Tour Weather:Overcast Wind: East 5 Swell: 1 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
Lava Tours are currently experiencing multiple lava entrys at both the newer Kupapa'u & the Waikupanaha lava ocean entries. Many volcanic elements ere present during a great sunset wedding party including, red hot lava, underwater pillow lava upwellings, tephra (volcanic sand), littoral explosions, lava bombs, & much more

June 10th , 2009 Recent lava pictures taken on lava tours

5AM- Sunrise Volcano Tour Weather:Rain/Cleared up Wind: East 10 Swell: 2 Lava: 2 Lava Flows
Beautiful waters set this trip out on a great foot accompanied by a Volcano Lava show guarenteed to excite just about anyone with a heartbeat. The Kupapa'u flow is growing in size with multiple fingers and tubes. Whereas the Waikupanaha has began to rebuild the area where over 2 acers of land avalanched into the sea last week.

June 9th , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Full Moon Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 10 Swell: 2 Lava: 2 Lava Flows are entering the sea
Another bright morning sky the moon lit the flow perfectly for great pre dawn Hawaii Lava Pictures. The Kupapa'u has a steady littorial explosion going with an additional river breaking off the main tube & the Waikupanaha is only viewable on the upwind side wher 3 rivers oozed into the sea.

June 8th , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Full Moon Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 15 Swell: 2-3 Lava: 2 Lava Flows are entering the sea
The Kupapa'u was the show this morning allowing clear views of lava tubes erupting firrehouse like flow into the sea & the Waikupanaha iwas fairly plumed in with ocasssional glimpses of the outer finger flows..

June 7th , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Full Moon Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 15 Swell: 2-3 Lava: 2 Lava Flows are entering the sea
We have a lava show on our hands right now. Folks if you've been waiting to clome see lava well the wait is over come see the 24 hour lava show Peles putting on. Views of lava one could only dream to see. The Kupapa'u flow continues to flow one solid flow into the sea & the Waikupanaha is still spread across the gentle lava bench.

June 6th , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 25 Swell: 3-4 Lava: 3 Lava Flows are entering the sea
LAVA LAVA LAVA is all I should say its flowing everywhere, 3 active lava flows currently touch the sea. The volume has increased at the Waikupanaha ocean entry. 3 Main rivers break off into at least 15 red rivers spread across this complex lava bench each providing a special view of lava. The Kupapa'u flow continues to flow one solid flow into the sea. The new flow has slowed a bit but made for the best lava viewing due to the lack of a plume cloud we could see the lava flow without obstruction.
June 5th , 2009 Hawaii Volcano Photots by Lance Miller

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 7 Swell: 1-3 Lava: Waikupanaha, Kupapa'u, & New Ocean entry
At the Waikupanaha ocean entry at least 10 red rivers spread across this delicate lava bench each providing the best view of lava one could ask for. This was not enough for our lava hunters so we headed south where the Kupapa'u flow regained it's solid firehouse flow into the sea. While watching lava enter from the Kupapa'u flow we noticed a small plume starting in the distence, after a closer look 4 rivers painted the 200 ft Kalapana coastline with red hot rivers of pure Hawaii Lava. Hawaii Volcano Tours on the Big Island let you see the creation of earth.
June 3rd , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 7 Swell: 1-2 Lava: Waikupanaha
At the Waikupanaha ocean entry rivers again spread across the bench. .The red rivers of hot lava have returned after a short wink the other day. Kupapa'u bench is smoking, no visible lava yet hopefully tomarrow.
5PM- Sunset Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 7 Swell: 1-2 Lava: Waikupanaha & Kupapa'u
The lava show has returned in proper form with 2 active ocean entries Waikupanaha & Kupapa'u. Waikupanaha showed multiple lava flows & a giant upwelling just offshore.

June 2nd , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 7 Swell: 1-2 Lava: Waikupanaha
This morning we watched as lava reentered the sea at the Waikupanaha ocean entry. To our amazement a large area of the bench had disappeared over night leaving a 60-80 ft seacliff. The plume clouds covered most of the new flow.

June 1st , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 7 Swell: 1-2 Lava: Waikupanaha
Due to an ongoing DI Tilt event the lava supplyhas slowed at the ocean entries leaving us with 2 diminshing lava flows entering the sea which seem to be draining out of the tube. Think LAVA!!!

June 1st , 2009

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather:Clear Wind: East 5 Swell: 1-2 Lava: Waikupanaha & Kupapa'u lava entries
Multiple lava flows enter the ocean at the Waikupanaha entry & Kupapa'u flows. Due to a DI Tilt event the lava supply slowed at the ocean entries, which removed the large plume clouds giving our guests a clear sharp view into the red hot lava rivers. Between the two flow we counted 11 spots lava flowed into the sea.

May 17th, 2009

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather:Voggy Wind: East 5 Swell: flat Lava: Waikupanaha & Kupapa'u lava entries
Multiple lava flows enter the ocean at the Waikupanaha entry & Kupapa'u flows. Both of which displayed littorial explosions and red rivers of fire entering the sea.

May 15th, 2009 Hawaii Volcano Pictures by Lance Miller

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Rainy Wind: East 5 Swell: flat Lava: Waikupanaha & Kupapa'u lava entries
Besides a bit of rain the trip was a hoot, with multiple lava flows entering the ocean at the Waikupanaha entry & a heavy lava tube continued poouring & exploding at the Kupapa'u flow.

May 13th, 2009 Lava Tour Boat Pictures

5AM- Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 5 Swell: 2-4 Lava: Waikupanaha & Kupapa'u lava entries
Waikupanaha opened up this morning with a display of natural lava rivers flowing over the new bench. Spider like lava fingers broke out from the main lava flow & from areas where the lavas pressures finally gave way opening up fresh lava tubes. Our premiere lava tour to Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks remote coastline is the best lava viewing tour when lava is touching the sea hands down.

5PM- Sunset Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 15 Swell: 2-4 Lava: 2 lava flows entering the ocean
On the way to the flow a brief visit by our local spinner dolphins at Kehena got things started. Clear skies provided great views of our Hawaii Volcano Kilauea's tube structure including the top of the mountain where Halema`uma`u crater continues to smoke away. The viewing tonight was pread across a 100 yard area of the current bench. On the nort side a soild lava river flowed across a fresh black sand beach making for excellent Hawaii Volcano pictures & Video.

May 11th, 2009 Lava Tour Boat Pictures

5AM-Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 5 Swell: 2-4 Lava: 2 lava flows entering the ocean
Happy Mothers day to all the Moms out there our ocean lava access allowed a view of lava most guests will never forget. We watched in awe as multiple lava rivers flowed off the 20ft bench into the sea from the Waikupanaha ocean lava entry. The Kupapa'u flow continued to erupt on the ocean showing views of littoral explosions & volcanic lava bombs floating red hot on the water. Anthor exciting Mothers Day Lava Ocean Adenture Tour.

May 10th, 2009 Lava Tour Boat Pictures

5AM-Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 5 Swell: 2-4 Lava: 2 lava flows entering the ocean
Happy Mothers day to all the Moms out there our ocean lava access allowed a view of lava most guests will never forget. We watched in awe as multiple lava rivers flowed off the 20ft bench into the sea from the Waikupanaha ocean lava entry. The Kupapa'u flow continued to erupt on the ocean showing views of littoral explosions & volcanic lava bombs floating red hot on the water. An exciting Mothers Day Lava Ocean Adenture Tour.

8AM-Morning Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 10-15 kts Swell: 2-4 Lava: 2 lava ocean entries
With the sun warming the day & the water conditions prime our morning lava tour was a Hawaii ocean tour filled adventure. The sun lit lava coastline was perfect for getting rare coastline pictures of lava flows, black sand beaches, lava caves & marine life. Kilauea's lava ocean entries continue to form the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park coastline with beaches, sea arches, cracks, tephra, & other volcanic elements. The lava flow showed 2 main lava rivers at the Waikupanaha including a solid 20 ft oozing lava flow which provided the best lava viewing this morning. Both plume clouds extended toward the south west with rain & cinders falliing from the cloud, a dramatic lava image itself.

May 9th, 2009

5AM-Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 5 kts Swell: 1-3 Lava: 2 lava flows entering the ocean
Our ocean access allowed a view of 6 lava tubes pouring into the sea from the Waikupanaha ocean lava entry. The Kupapa'u flow allowed views of littoral explosions & volcanic lava bombs that float until cooling. The best lava viewing one could ask for this morning accompanied by red hot lava, a match made in Hawaii.

May 8th, 2009

5AM-Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 5 kts Swell: 1-2 Lava: 2 lava flows entering the oceanThe main flow of Waikupanaha was the show this morning spread across the bench with multiple rivers of lava to view. The Kupapa'u lava flow seems more eruptive then usual with a heavy plume over ther lava & regular steam explosions. The waters were calm & the lava tour group was fun, another great Hawaii Volcano Tour.

5PM-Sunset Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: East 10-15kts Swell: 2-3Lava: 2 lava flows entering the ocean
Well it looks as though the trade winds are back the waters were a bit bumpy tonight. The main flow of Waikupanaha has spead across the bench with lava flows oozing from a small lava bench pouring into the sea. Lava Bombs of all sizes were spotted floating, hissing & spouting like that of our winter mammals the Humpback Whales.

May 6, 2009 Boat Lava Tours, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island Adventure Boat Tours
5AM-Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: Trades Swell: 1-2Lava: 2 lava flows enter the ocean
The main flow of Waikupanaha has spead across the bench with multiple rivers of lava to view as lava pours into the sea. Today's Kupapa'u lava flow more eruptive then normal with a heavy plume over ther lava. A new Lava Flow was coming through Royal Gardens as of this morning. Great lava viewing today with clear skies & lots of lava.

May 3, 2009 Boat Lava Tours, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island Adventure Boat Tours
5AM-Sunrise Lava Tour Weather: Clear Wind: Variable Swell: small south Lava: 2 lava flows enter the ocean
The main flow of Waikupanaha has joined back into one main river of lava with small red lava rivers flowing off the main vien as it pours into the sea. Today's Kupapa'u lava flow was exceptional, we watched lava rivers sometime 10 or more spill molten lava into the Pacific Ocean waters. Caught one beauitful Ono (Wahoo) while trolling on the way home from the ocean lava entry.

Lava Tour Vide