Kīlauea Volcano — Overflight of Ocean Entry

The helicopter hovers above the ocean entry on May 20, 2018, around 6:45 AM HST. Several braided lava channels (red) are visible on the right. The white plume is "laze," which forms when hot lava hits the ocean sending hydrochloric acid and steam with fine glass particles into the air. Laze is a health hazard for people downwind and especially in the immediate vicinity of the plume.