Kilauea Lava Tube Skylight

These clips show an opening on the roof of an established lava tube on the slopes of Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. Recorded February 7, 2005.

A still at the beginning shows the general area around the skylight. The steam plume where the lava tube empties into the Pacific Ocean can be seen in the distance.

The flow inside the tube goes from lower right to upper left. The lava tube originates in Pu'u O'o, which is the active vent on the flank of Kilauea Volcano.


More photos and videos:
http://volcanochaser.smugmug.com/

Kilauea Volcano info and updates:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• lava
• lavatube
• Kilauea
• Hawaii
• Pu'uO'o
• eruption
• volcano

[riceicles123]

Is it possible when a lava tube is blocked like a cave in, once the lava hits the block it shoots out like a geyser? (sorry i just seen "Volcano" and want to see how many factual errors are in that movie :L im guessing a lot)

[volcanochaser]

@riceicles123 Although it's been many years since I saw Volcano and Dante's Peak, I remember that it was very annoying to watch the many exaggerations and outright lies. Usually when there is a blockage in the tube, a weak section upstream of the blockage will be lifted up and the lava will come rushing out on the surface.

[volcanochaser]

@riceicles123 (continued) However, there was one instance several years ago where the new opening was small enough that the lava was forced up into the air about 20 feet for a few days until it crusted over. I didn't get to see it, but there were some photos in the USGS website.

[BLANKMEMORYDATA]

omg. you are SO cool. i want to go to hawaii :(

byw, i has questions:

how do you know if the lava-rock you are standing on is safe? like, you know how you have the lava that is moving but its all grey, what happens if its like that but not moving?

WHATS DOWN THERE!??!

do you need a licence to come here?

why is there like, infinite lava stocks under the earth?

thanks :D l;ol

[volcanochaser]

@BLANKMEMORYDATA The safety of lava depends on the thickness of the crust. The thinner the crust, the more heat you will feel when you get close. You can also spill some water on it and see how fast it will flash into steam. Instant steam means a very thin crust. Crust with a slower steam rate means the crust is very thick and can generally hold your weight. There are many other variables like color, shape, and visible voids which are learned through experience.

[volcanochaser]

@BLANKMEMORYDATA Scientists tell us that except for a thin rocky crust a few thousand miles thick and a small iron core, much of the earth is composed of circulating liquid lava (magma). Some of the magma makes its way to the surface through volcanoes or rift zones on the earth's crust.

A few unstable areas are closed in the national park, but it is generally open to the public because the intense heat keeps people at a safe distance. You may need a permit if the lava is outside the park.

[BCSpore]

@JJMDude

That's exactly what I would do. Except, because of the potential weakness of the lava tube's ceiling, I probably won't be sending down any explosives. (Plus, if the tour guides or guards see you trying to hide something, you would obviously be caught)

The steamiest explosion would probably be from a full water bottle I plan to throw in. (That one would be fun to see)

[JJMDude]

@BCSpore Hehe, yeah. I'd bring a whole bag of stuff just to see it burn up. If you threw and apple into that vent, I'm betting the water in it would boil and the apple would explode. Hell, maybe toss a firecracker down there, see what happened. Not as though the lava doesn't have a thick surface to it. It would probably sit on it, explode, and rocket around the tube. That's be something to see...

[JJMDude]

@kylian272 The camera wouldn't survive the experience. Nor would the rope...

[emersondavis]

Lets all jump in!