VHP Photo Glossary: Skylight

Scientist takes advantage of a skylight to measure height of lava flowing in a lava tube, Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i. Photograph by K.V. Cashman in 1994

Skylight

A skylight is an opening in the roof of a lava tube. Skylights usually form when part of the roof collapses into the tube, but they also occur where a roof failed to form over the lava channel. If the tube is active, a stream of glowing lava can be seen moving below.

Related photo glossary terms:

Lava tube