Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Lava bubble burst explosion, Kīlauea, Hawai‘i

Detailed Description

A thin-walled lava bubble expands and bursts. These "bubble bursts" occur when seawater infiltrates the lava tube system near the shore. Such bubble bursts produce translucent sheets of spatter, or limu o Pele.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.