Lava bubble burst explosion on active lava delta, Kīlauea, Hawai‘i
Lava bubble burst explosion on active lava delta, Kīlauea, Hawai‘iTwo bubble bursts explode simultaneously as a consequence seawater mixing with lava in a lava tube beneath surface of a lava delta. Because of the confined conditions in the lava tube, explosive pressures build up as water, heated by contact with molten lava, expands instantly to steam.