Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Videos

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory videos of eruptive activity, field work, and more.

Filter Total Items: 865
Pu`u 'Ō`ō Crater Lava Flow
Pu`u 'Ō`ō Crater Lava Flow
Pu`u 'Ō`ō Crater Lava Flow

(March 2, 2004, 11:48:17 to 23:08:42) Late 2003 through early 2004 marked a period of heightened eruptive activity at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō (Miklius and others, 2006) on Kīlauea Volcano's east rift zone, with lava frequently spilling from vents within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater.

(March 2, 2004, 11:48:17 to 23:08:42) Late 2003 through early 2004 marked a period of heightened eruptive activity at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō (Miklius and others, 2006) on Kīlauea Volcano's east rift zone, with lava frequently spilling from vents within the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater.

video thumbnail: Eruption from Dave's Vent in Pu'u 'O'o Crater (March 2, 2004) video thumbnail: Eruption from Dave's Vent in Pu'u 'O'o Crater (March 2, 2004)
Eruption from Dave's Vent in Pu'u 'O'o Crater (March 2, 2004)
Eruption from Dave's Vent in Pu'u 'O'o Crater (March 2, 2004)

Late 2003 through early 2004 marked a period of heightened eruptive activity at Pu'u 'O'o, on Kilauea Volcano's east rift zone, with lava frequently spilling from vents within the Pu'u 'O'o crater.

Late 2003 through early 2004 marked a period of heightened eruptive activity at Pu'u 'O'o, on Kilauea Volcano's east rift zone, with lava frequently spilling from vents within the Pu'u 'O'o crater.

Spattering from east vent in West Gap Pit
Spattering from east vent in West Gap Pit
Spattering from east vent in West Gap Pit

Spattering from east vent in West Gap Pit, taken from same place as other video and also hand-held. Note the spatter rampart under construction by the falling spatter. Helicopter noise for first several seconds.

Spattering from east vent in West Gap Pit, taken from same place as other video and also hand-held. Note the spatter rampart under construction by the falling spatter. Helicopter noise for first several seconds.

Nearly continuous spattering from west vent of West Gap Pit
Nearly continuous spattering from west vent of West Gap Pit
Nearly continuous spattering from west vent of West Gap Pit

Nearly continuous spattering from west vent of West Gap Pit, and sporadic spatter bursting from tall hornito to left. Heaving pond of lava between camera and vent. Hand-held camera, so a bit shaky. Note especially the symmetrical burst from hornito at about 15 seconds. Noise is reasonable facsimile of the real thing, emphasizing the treble.

Nearly continuous spattering from west vent of West Gap Pit, and sporadic spatter bursting from tall hornito to left. Heaving pond of lava between camera and vent. Hand-held camera, so a bit shaky. Note especially the symmetrical burst from hornito at about 15 seconds. Noise is reasonable facsimile of the real thing, emphasizing the treble.

Lava emerges from under crust
Lava emerges from under crust
Lava emerges from under crust

Lava emerges from under crust along side of breakout on steep slope. Listen to creaking sounds, about halfway through video, as crust flexes and breaks. See still taken at 0610:15 today.

Lava emerges from under crust along side of breakout on steep slope. Listen to creaking sounds, about halfway through video, as crust flexes and breaks. See still taken at 0610:15 today.

Lava appears from under crust and drops into depression
Lava appears from under crust and drops into depression
Lava appears from under crust and drops into depression

Lava appears from under crust and drops into depression at front of advancing breakout. Width of blob of lava that appears is about 30 cm.

Lava pours out from under crust
Lava pours out from under crust
Lava pours out from under crust

Lava pours out from under crust at front of advancing breakout. See still taken at 0607:33 today.

Lava pours out from under crust at front of advancing breakout. See still taken at 0607:33 today.

Lava flow
Lava flow
Lava flow

This clip lasts 30 seconds and so is a large file, but it shows such notable dynamics at flow front that it might be worth it to some of you patient ones. The active stream is 50-75 cm wide. Note, early on, how sliding crust plows into lava.

This clip lasts 30 seconds and so is a large file, but it shows such notable dynamics at flow front that it might be worth it to some of you patient ones. The active stream is 50-75 cm wide. Note, early on, how sliding crust plows into lava.

Lava issues from breached tube
Lava issues from breached tube
Lava issues from breached tube

Lava issues from breached tube and quickly disappears over old sea cliff. Note that center of stream stands above margins. See still taken at 0545 today.

Lava issues from breached tube and quickly disappears over old sea cliff. Note that center of stream stands above margins. See still taken at 0545 today.

Surging cascade on steep cliff face
Surging cascade on steep cliff face
Surging cascade on steep cliff face

Surging cascade on steep cliff face. Note that surges override part of cascade next to cliff, which is slowed by friction with the cliff.

Surging cascade on steep cliff face. Note that surges override part of cascade next to cliff, which is slowed by friction with the cliff.

Lava cascade
Lava cascade
Lava cascade

Same cascade as in first clip, but viewed more from side to see lava falling down cliff and spreading across surface of lava delta. Similar view to still image taken at 0548 today.

Same cascade as in first clip, but viewed more from side to see lava falling down cliff and spreading across surface of lava delta. Similar view to still image taken at 0548 today.

Lava in channeled breakout
Lava in channeled breakout
Lava in channeled breakout

Lava in channeled breakout from nearby tumulus flowing rapidly down steep slope before spreading out on flat ground. Same channel as shown in last two stills for today. Width of channel, about 2 m.

Lava in channeled breakout from nearby tumulus flowing rapidly down steep slope before spreading out on flat ground. Same channel as shown in last two stills for today. Width of channel, about 2 m.

Gushing start of lava cascade
Gushing start of lava cascade
Gushing start of lava cascade

Gushing start of cascade shown in image taken at 0553. Lava comes from crusted flow to right. Width of flowing lava, about 1 m.

Gushing start of cascade shown in image taken at 0553. Lava comes from crusted flow to right. Width of flowing lava, about 1 m.

Lava flow
Lava flow
Lava flow

Downstream from first clip about 2 m. Same as shown in image taken at 0554.

Downstream from first clip about 2 m. Same as shown in image taken at 0554.

Two strands of flowing lava come together
Two strands of flowing lava come together
Two strands of flowing lava come together

Two strands of flowing lava come together to form single cascade on upper part of old sea cliff at Highcastle. Still taken at 0546 shows same scene.

Two strands of flowing lava come together to form single cascade on upper part of old sea cliff at Highcastle. Still taken at 0546 shows same scene.

Spreading and advancing breakout
Spreading and advancing breakout
Spreading and advancing breakout

Spreading and advancing breakout, the same as that shown in 0545 still image for today. Width of view, about 2 m.

Spreading and advancing breakout, the same as that shown in 0545 still image for today. Width of view, about 2 m.

Spreading and advancing breakout
Spreading and advancing breakout
Spreading and advancing breakout

Closer view of spreading and advancing breakout shown above. Width of view, about 0.6 m.

Rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe
Rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe
Rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe

Rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe. Still taken today at 0603 is of this breakout. Width of view, about 2.5 m.

Rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe
Rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe
Rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe

Continuation and further development of rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe. Still taken today at 0603 is of this breakout. Width of view, about 2.5 m.

Continuation and further development of rapidly moving and changing breakout in Highcastle lobe. Still taken today at 0603 is of this breakout. Width of view, about 2.5 m.

Two converging toes
Two converging toes
Two converging toes

Two converging toes, the same as those shown in last two still images for today. Width of view, about 1.5 m.

Two converging toes, the same as those shown in last two still images for today. Width of view, about 1.5 m.

Lava moving rapidly at front of breakout
Lava moving rapidly at front of breakout
Lava moving rapidly at front of breakout

Lava moving rapidly at front of breakout 880 m north of coconut grove. Width of view, about 1.5 m.

Was this page helpful?