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Overflight of Halema`uma`u Crater

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Detailed Description

This Quicktime movie shows a quick video of the lava lake in Halema‘uma‘u crater taken during today's overflight. The lava surface has recently been very shallow, as little as 90 meters (98 yards) below the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater. When the video was taken, the lava was at a high stand during part of a rise and fall cycle, when very little gas is emitted and views are clear. About seven minutes after the video was taken, violent spattering and gas release occurred from the lake margin, triggering a drop of the lava surface to a low-stand level. The substantial overhang along the north rim of the vent cavity is shown very well by the video. Additionally, the remains of the partially destroyed Halema‘uma‘u Overlook—on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u crater, directly above the vent cavity—can be seen several times during the clip. For scale, the vent cavity is about 150 meters (164 yards) wide.

Details

Length:
00:00:25

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.