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Pu`u `O`o -
Kupaianaha Eruption of Kilauea Volcano - January 18, 1999
Photographs by C. Heliker, USGS
photo and caption credit
U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Lava bubbles explode from two
openings in the roof of the lava tube system on the Kamokuna lava bench. The
openings are located 10-25 m inland from the edge of the bench. The largest
bubbles tossed fragments as high as 40 m and flung ribbons of spatter several
meters long that landed intact on the bench. The bursts were accompanied by
loud, chugging noises as the lava exploded from the tube. During the activity, a
steam jet (lower right) produced a vigorous white steam plume.
These explosions occur when
seawater flashes to steam within the confined space of an active lava tube. For
more information about the cause of lava bubbles and other explosions that occur
on lava benches.
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