Lava Fountaining from MLK Vent (February 9-10, 2005)

On February 9, 2005, an eruptive surge at Pu'u 'O'o resulted in episodic spattering and fountaining from the MLK vent, on the southwestern flank of the Pu'u 'O'o cone. The main cone active during this event was 6-7 meters (20-23 feet) high. This suggests that fountain heights reached about 10 meters (33 feet). The time-lapse camera was positioned on the south flank of the Pu'u 'O'o cone about 70 meters (230 feet) away from the erupting cone and about 25 meters (80 feet) up-slope from passing lava flows. The prevailing wind direction was from behind the camera, which would have aided in keeping the camera relatively cool by blowing the heat away. In fact, if anyone had been there, they would have likely found the air temperature quite comfortable.

The images were acquired at a rate of 1 frame per minute, and the resulting video is played at 10 frames per second.