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December 23, 2024 - Lava fountains in the west part of Kīlauea caldera

Detailed Description

This aerial view, captured during a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitoring overflight, shows the lava fountains active in the west part of Kīlauea caldera. The eruption began this morning at 2:20 a.m. HST, December 23, and fountains reached up to 90 meters (290 feet) overnight. During the overflight, fountain heights were slightly lower, around 70 meters (230 feet). New lava flows away from the fountains (to the right in the photo), while tephra material (molten material that travels through the air before it is deposited on the ground), is visible behind and downwind of the fountains (to the left in the photo). USGS photo by M. Zoeller. 

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.

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