Kīlauea Volcano — Laze Plume

Lava from the fissure complex erupting in Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone entered the ocean in late evening on May 19, 2018. The active ocean entry is producing a white "laze" plume. Laze is formed when hot lava hits the ocean, forming a plume of hydrochloric acid and steam with fine glass particles. The laze plume travels with the wind and can be a hazard for people downwind, but is most severe in the immediate vicinity of the ocean entry.