Images

A single area of breakouts, visible as the silvery patch in the center of the photograph, was active on today's overflight. These surface flows are high above the pali, about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) southeast of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō cone. Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō is visible in the upper left portion of the image.

This thermal map shows the fissure system and lava flows as of 6 am on Thursday, July 12. The fountain at Fissure 8 remains active, with the lava flow entering the ocean at numerous points in Kapoho. The channel overflow from July 9-10 created a new lobe that reached the ocean over the past day, destroying Ahalanui Park and the nearby charter school.

The orange layer just below geologist's hiking pole is the Mazama ash (about 7700 ybp). Below that are glacial deposits. Above the Mazama is about a meter consisting mostly of fine-grained tephras from Glacier Peak, capped by soil and plants. That the tephras sit directly on top of the Mazama indicates that "Dusty" eruptions commenced about 7,000 years ago.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist conducts an interview at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano in 2011.

Impressive columns like these form along the margins of ice-confined lava flows but usually are eroded off the sides due to continued glacial movement after an eruption ceases. Columns are better preserved at the ends of the flows (this photo) where they are protected somewhat from the ice.

Extending approximately 75 miles north to south and 27 miles east to west, Newberry Volcano and its broad apron of lavas (light yellow shaded area) cover a total area of almost 1,200 square miles, making it the largest volcano of the Cascades volcanic chain. Its lavas stretch north beyond Smith Rock State Park, and south almost to Fort Rock State Natural Area.

At Kīlauea, when the lava column drops below the water table, groundwater may come into contact with with magma or hot rocks, causing violent steam explosions.

Mount Rainier rises above Tacoma, Washington and boat harbor, which may be impacted during the next eruption of the volcano.

A new fissure eruption in September 2011 on the flank of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō on Kīlauea Volcano's east rift zone reminds us of the need to be aware of our ever-changing volcanic environment on Hawai‘i Island. "Volcano Awareness Month" events in January 2012 offer island residents and visitors many opportunities to learn more about Hawai‘i's active volcanoes.

Lava has continued to enter the ocean at West Ka‘ili‘ili, with numerous entry points scattered along a broad section of the coast. The small boat in the center of the image provides a rough sense of scale.

View of scattered pāhoehoe lobes and toes on the coastal plain, just inland from the ocean entry.

One of the individual streams of lava cascading over the sea cliff, producing a thick steam plume at the water's edge.

View of scattered pāhoehoe lobes and toes on the coastal plain, just inland from the ocean entry.

Map showing the extent of lava flows erupted during Kīlauea's ongoing east rift zone eruption and labeled with the years in which they were active.

This thermal image shows the western portion of the West Ka‘ili‘ili ocean entry, which hosts numerous small entry points. Active breakouts can be seen on the coastal plain along the west margin of the flow field.

This thermal image shows the western portion of the West Ka‘ili‘ili ocean entry, which hosts numerous small entry points. Active breakouts can be seen on the coastal plain along the west margin of the flow field.

This near-vertical view from the helicopter shows the surface of the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u.

This skylight provided a clear view of the lava stream inside the lava tube on today's overflight, and a swiftly moving current could easily be seen.

This near-vertical view from the helicopter shows the surface of the lava lake at Halema‘uma‘u.

One of the individual streams of lava cascading over the sea cliff, producing a thick steam plume at the water's edge.

This skylight provided a clear view of the lava stream inside the lava tube on today's overflight, and a swiftly moving current could easily be seen.