Photo and Video Chronology - Kīlauea - July 6, 2016

Flow front more than halfway across coastal plain...

The flow front remains active, and was more than half way across the coastal plain today (July 6). This afternoon, the flow front was roughly 2 km (1.2 miles) from the base of the pali, and 1.3 km (0.8 miles) from the ocean. The front consisted of slow moving pāhoehoe.

Close-up view of a typical surface on pāhoehoe lava.

As this small channel of lava flows into a depression, its semi-congealed surface twists and wrinkles—forming the ropy surface commonly seen on pāhoehoe flows. Flows on the pali are visible in the background.

The hardened crust of this pāhoehoe lava is pushed upward as the flow advances, exposing the incandescent lava beneath.