Images

Lava delta at East Lae‘apuki on the southeast coast of Kīlauea Volcano is about 17 hectares (43 acres). The delta extends about 400 m seaward from the sea cliff and is about 850 m long parallel to the shoreline. The steep sea cliff embayment resulted from collapses of earlier deltas; the collapses undermined and took away parts of the cliff.

Substantial cracks cutting across a lava delta are clear indication that the delta is subsiding as it grows across the unstable pile of interfingering lava flows and fragments built on the steep submarine slope. The larger cracks on this delta are 1-2 m (3-6 ft) wide.

A US Army helicopter from Pohakuloa Training Area flies overhead of palila researchers on Mauna Kea volcano, Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i. 

Embayment of lava delta shows result of collapse. The initial collapse was large enough to send waves washing over much of the east half of the delta, because visibility was completely lost for almost 20 minutes, due to a steam white-out. Note rocky debris hurled by the waves onto the delta surface in foreground.

Kīlauea Volcano's east Lae‘apuki lava delta pictured hours before it collapsed into the sea over a 90-minute period. White plume marks location of lava entering sea fed by a lava tube within delta.

pāhoehoe lava spilling over sea cliff on south coast of Kīlauea Volcano starts to build a new lava delta. Only three days old, the delta grows slowly as lava spreads over fragmented debris and flows that have accumulated on the steep submarine slope.

Explosive interaction between lava and seawater blasts a tephra jet consisting of steam, hot water, black tephra, and molten fragments into the air. Such explosions are typically directed toward the sea, but many explosions also send a shower of lava more than 10 to 20 m (33 to 66 ft) inland.

Active lava delta at East Lae‘apuki on the south coast of Kīlauea Volcano. White gas plume (right) marks location of lava entering the sea through a lava tube whose location is shown by blueish fume (left and center). In early August 2005, the delta encompassed an area of about 12 hectares (30 acres).

A VHF radio receiving tower is set up on the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano on Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i. This setup allowed researchers to track radio tagged palila over large areas to determine where they were spending their time. 

Scenic view of Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

Haleakala National Park.

Haleakala National Park.

Haleakala National Park.

Sunrise over Haleakala National Park.

Haleakala National Park.

Haleakala National Park.

Haleakala National Park.

Sunrise over Haleakala National Park.

_{Eruption cloud, from the east crater of Anatahan Volcano, rising to a height of about 15,000 feet, on May 10, 2003. View from the NE side of the island, looking in a southwesterly direction.}

Haleakala National Park.

Haleakala National Park.