Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Photo and Video Chronology - Kīlauea - May 4, 2004

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory May 4, 2004

What does Banana lava look like?

This is a photo of an active western cascade on Paliuli.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Active western cascade on Paliuli. Yesterday morning's eastern cascade, near right edge of image, is entirely crusted though possibly still carrying lava. In foreground is part of lava flow fed by cascades. Height of Paliuli, 12-15 m.
This is a photo of a small active toe along eastern margin of Banana flow on coastal flat.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Small active toe along eastern margin of Banana flow on coastal flat. Lava at bottom of image is about 40 cm wide.

 

This is a photo of a toe just starting to plummet down small cliff onto tilted piece of crust below.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Toe just starting to plummet down small cliff onto tilted piece of crust below. Right image shows final product. Width of toe, about 40 cm.
This is a photo of a toe flowing down tilted piece of crust.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Same toe as in right image has flowed down tilted piece of crust and is stagnating in depression at base of cliff.

 

This is a photo of a ropy surface on pahoehoe toe along margin of Banana flow.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Ropy surface on pahoehoe toe along margin of Banana flow. Lava flows down steep slope and slows at base, causing plastic crust to wrinkle. Widest part of toe, about 1 m.
This is a photo of lava breaking out from under crust.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Lava breaking out from under crust, with lower part of western cascade in background.

 

This is a photo of lava pouring from a crack in thin crust on toe.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Lava pours from crack in thin crust on toe. Width of view, about 1.5 m.
This is a photo of a lava flow advancing away from Paliuli.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Lava flow advancing away from Paliuli, with gushing western cascade in background. Note how much more vigorous the cascade is now than it was 10 minutes earlier (right image above). This increased happened suddenly. Similar surges were observed yesterday afternoon, too.

 

Get Our News

Hawaii News

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory News

Kīlauea News

Natural Hazards News

United States of America News

Volcano Hazards News