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Dramatic Images and Video Show Lava Flow from Hawaiian Volcano


A close up of the lava stream near the spot where it exits the tube. This view was only possible with a very high magnification lens.
A close up of the lava stream near the spot where it exits the tube. This view was only possible with a very high magnification lens.

In late January, the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaii Volcano Observatory released dramatic video and images of lava flowing into the ocean from the Kilauea volcano.

Here are some of the images:

At Kīlauea's ocean entry on Jan. 28 and 29, the interaction of molten lava flowing into cool seawater caused pulsating littoral explosions that threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) high into the air.
At Kīlauea's ocean entry on Jan. 28 and 29, the interaction of molten lava flowing into cool seawater caused pulsating littoral explosions that threw spatter (fragments of molten lava) high into the air.

A wider view of the lava entering the ocean at sunset.
A wider view of the lava entering the ocean at sunset.

An open lava stream continues to pour out of the lava tube, perched high on the sea cliff, and into the ocean. The stream was remarkably steady today, but produced pulsating littoral explosions that threw spatter onto the sea cliff.
An open lava stream continues to pour out of the lava tube, perched high on the sea cliff, and into the ocean. The stream was remarkably steady today, but produced pulsating littoral explosions that threw spatter onto the sea cliff.

A close up of the lava stream near the spot where it exits the tube. This view was only possible with a very high magnification lens.
A close up of the lava stream near the spot where it exits the tube. This view was only possible with a very high magnification lens.

The video below shows the amount of lava flowing into the ocean.

Dramatic USGS video of lava flow from Hawaii volcano
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