Fissure eruptions
Photograph by D.W. Peterson on 6 July 1975
Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawai`i
Lava erupts from fissures high on the northeast rift zone
of Mauna Loa in the early morning hours of July 6, 1975. These
fissures fed several lava flows, the longest of which
traveled 5.2 km northward toward Mauna Kea (in background).
Photograph by D.A. Clague in March 1984
Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawai`i
This eruptive fissure broke out on the northeast rift zone of Mauna Loa
about 15 hours after the eruption began in the summit caldera, about
15 km uprift (toward upper left). Initially about 1.6 km long, lava
fountains along the fissure were soon restricted to six vent areas.
These vents built a spatter rampart, a cinder and spatter cone, and
a lava shield along the fissure. The most productive vent is in
the upper left.
Photograph by N. Banks on 5 January 1983
Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i
Lava fountains rise from two eruptive fissures in the first week of
the Pu`u `O`o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea Volcano. The fissures
cut through forest and older lava flows on a remote section of the
volcano's east rift zone. See
eruption summary
for a description and additional photographs of this eruption.