Kilauea Ocean Entry August 3, 2008

Views of the ocean entry in the early morning from the west side of the tube system. Also shown is evidence of human habitation in that area.

Lava ends its journey from the East Rift Zone of Kilauea after traveling seven miles in lava tubes under the surface. Violent steam explosions occur as ocean water quenches the lava exiting the tubes, and large amounts of black sand and lava spatter are thrown many feet into the air and help build the littoral cone growing on the shore.

The ocean entry is located near Kalapana at the end of Highway 130 on the Big Island of Hawaii. This area is outside the east boundary of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Recorded August 3, 2008


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

Eruption Update Info:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/

• Category

  Travel & Events

[mitferr08]

I know this has nothing to do with this video but i was watching another video on lava hitting the ocean and there was lightning in the steam cloud. I was also able to see a large spout of water that seemed to be falling out of the steam cloud into the water. I was wondering if that huge amount of water was coming from the cloud or if it was just something else. Nice videos by the way.

[volcanochaser]

Funnel clouds spinning out from the steam plume are common events on certain days when the conditions of wind speed, size of plume, etc are just right. They form every few minutes and dissipate just as fast. I think there were some on this day but they were a little scrawny and didn't show up well on video.

[volcanochaser]

If you look closely at this video, sometimes you can see a rapid spinning of the steam after some of the explosions. My guess is that some of these spinning formations are able to break out from the main plume. I don't believe that there is any liquid water, but rather just water vapor.

[volcanochaser]

Second Update for August 10, 2008: Lava has resumed flowing into the ocean. Check for the latest updates on the USGS link posted in the video description.

[volcanochaser]

August 10, 2008 UPDATE: Surface flows have resumed on the hillside and the coastal plain near the end of Highway 130. It is not yet entering the ocean. Check for the latest updates on the USGS link posted in the video description.

[volcanochaser]

August 7, 2008 UPDATE: A major disruption has stopped the flow of lava in Kilauea. There is presently no lava going into the ocean or at any other area of Kilauea. These disruptions happen occasionally and the flow of lava may resume at a later date in the same area or in a different area.

[Doidle]

This must have been 100x more amazing to see in person! You're terribly lucky! Fantastic choice of music too! Didn't the same band do a song called Cacharpaya? :]

[DABIGRAGU1]

The videos you've added music to are killer, you seem to know how to pick them (music and shots)

good work.

[andybaeza]

Thanks for the info, I haven't already seen all your videos but I'm sure I will. I've just started a Geoscience degree a couple of month ago and I'm doing a course about volcanoes. I've seen that "litoral cone" formed when the lava reaches the sea in black and white pictures in my books. Your video helps a lot to understand how it works, I'll put a link in the uni forums. Cheers

[gnurph]

Great video. Makes me want to hop on a plane and come see it for myself.