Kilauea Volcano in Eruption

First days of the current Kilauea East Rift Zone eruption

Volcanic activity at Kilauea began more than 12 years ago on January 3, 1983 with lava eruption from a 6-km-long fissure. After a 2-day pause, intermittent low-level fissure eruptions continued for several days. January 6, 1983.

A lava flow invades a Big Island jungle. January 6, 1983.

Volcanic plume rises above active vent. January 6, 1983.

The glow of the lava is accentuated in the evening light. January 6, 1983.

Lava flow is consumed by open earth crack.

Lava cascades into a open fissure. January 6, 1983.

Geologist is silhouetted against glowing lava. January 6, 1983.

Pu'u O'o vent, June 1984

During 1983 and 1984 activity on Kilauea's East Rift Zone became confined to a single vent, now named Pu'u O'o. Pu'u O'o looked like this on June 2, 1984. Note the geologist next to the vent sampling volcanic gas.

Lava Fountaining Episodes

View of Pu'u O'o on June 2, 1986. This stage of the eruption featured brief (a day or two) periods of vigorous lava fountaining every month or so. During repose, the eruptive conduit would gradually fill with lava until it overflowed as pictured here.

Early stage of a fountaining episode. Eruption vigor and fountain height are still increasing. November 13, 1985.

November 13, 1985.

Lava is fountaining to a height of about xxxx feet above the vent. November 13, 1985.

Views of Pu'u O'o at work

June 2, 1986.

Lava flows in channel from Pu'u O'o. April 18, 1984.

Rapid flow rate keeps red-hot lava exposed at the surface of a lava flow. April 20, 1984.

A river of lava diverts around an obstructing rock. April 20, 1984.

Different styles of eruption at Kilauea Volcano

Lava wells out of a crack which opened on the outer flank of Pu'u O'o. November 13, 1985.

Close-up of lava venting from crack on Pu'u O'o flank. November 13, 1985.

Lava spattering from filled conduit of Pu'u O'o. November 13, 1985.

Time exposure of Strombolean activity. Dots of light in right foreground are burning tree stumps. January 9, 1983.

Burst of gas from vent throws up a shower of lava fragments. January 9, 1983.

Lava spattering. January 9, 1983.

Lava Flows

A'a lava flow. April 1992.

Pahoehoe lava flow. February 1987.

Toe of a pahoehoe lava flow at night is partly illuminated by light from burning grass. November 1994.

Extensive pahoehoe lava flow. January 9, 1983.

Lava Pond

Lava pond in the crater of Pu'u O'o. April 1992.

Cooled lava crust on pond surface tends to sink, exposing red lava below. April 1992.

Last Modified: November 16, 1995