March 4 overflight of Kīlauea summit and East Rift Zone

Steam was also visible in other portions of the 2018 eruption flow field, close to Kīlauea's East Rift Zone (bottom portion of image). As lava was flowing south towards the ocean in 2018, lava channels formed; these channels are visible as dark grey meandering lines in the image. Like water, lava flows along the path of least resistance downslope. USGS image by K. Mulliken on March 4, 2021.