Here's a famous 1924 picture of the Kileaua caldera erupting.
Background: Several months ago, a vent opened explosively in Halemaumau, the crater inside the caldera of Kileaua volcano. Halemaumau used to be famous (notably due to a description from Mark Twain) as the location of a lava lake, fairly easily accessible by visitors. The lava lake disappeared in 1924 during a series of explosive phreatic eruptions (steam and hot rock). The lake has appeared briefly since then, such as in 1967.
Click on the post title for a Quicktime movie showing the 2008 activity.
Latest updates here:
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Big Isle Lava Lake
