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Kilauea
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory


Photo & Video Chronology - Kilauea Archive

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31 January 2008

Visible/Infrared view, refilled pond, and `a`a flow in Royal Gardens

Visible (left frame) and infrared (right frame) view of the lava pond within the rootless shield 4 collapse. Warmer colors represent hotter temperatures. The active flow issuing from the base of the near pond wall (low middle frame) may be a seep. Note that the islands are significantly colder than lava in the pond. The patch of warm crust that is not connected to the shield 4 pond is a new pond possibly building into a rootless shield to the west. Use of the FLIR (Forward-Looking InfraRed) camera is courtesy of Dr. Andy Harris of the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.
Visible (left frame) and infrared (right frame) view of the lava pond within the rootless shield 4 collapse. Warmer colors represent hotter temperatures. The active flow issuing from the base of the near pond wall (low middle frame) may be a seep. Note that the islands are significantly colder than lava in the pond. The patch of warm crust that is not connected to the shield 4 pond is a new pond possibly building into a rootless shield to the west. Use of the FLIR (Forward-Looking InfraRed) camera is courtesy of Dr. Andy Harris of the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.
View of the refilled pond 1 in the original perched channel (foreground), the fuming TEB vent just behind it, and a strongly fuming Pu`u `O`o cone in the background. Pond 1 is approximately 400 m (1300 ft) long and 30-50 m (100-160 ft) wide.
 Location of the farthest advance of Tuesday's `a`a flows. The flow is inactive today. The near road is Prince Avenue and the most obvious cross street is Tubarose St. The most recent flow is dark tan, 2002 pahoehoe is black, and Pu`u `O`o `a`a flows are light tan.
Left.View of the refilled pond 1 in the original perched channel (foreground), the fuming TEB vent just behind it, and a strongly fuming Pu`u `O`o cone in the background. Pond 1 is approximately 400 m (1300 ft) long and 30-50 m (100-160 ft) wide.Right. Location of the farthest advance of Tuesday's `a`a flows. The flow is inactive today. The near road is Prince Avenue and the most obvious cross street is Tubarose St. The most recent flow is dark tan, 2002 pahoehoe is black, and Pu`u `O`o `a`a flows are light tan.
Low-angle view of lava overflowing the edges of the pond that filled the collapse of rootless shield 4. Note how steep the pond rims have become. This pond is approximately 200 m (650 ft) in diameter.
 Higher-angle view of the lava pond filling and overflowing the collapse in rootless shield 4. Note the islands within the pond. The pond is approximately 200 m (650 ft) in diameter.
Left.Low-angle view of lava overflowing the edges of the pond that filled the collapse of rootless shield 4. Note how steep the pond rims have become. This pond is approximately 200 m (650 ft) in diameter.Right.Higher-angle view of the lava pond filling and overflowing the collapse in rootless shield 4. Note the islands within the pond. The pond is approximately 200 m (650 ft) in diameter.

29 January 2008

Channelized `a`a flow advancing into Royal Gardens

Aerial morning view of the channelized 'a'a flow advancing into Royal Gardens subdivision and burning through a kipuka. The prominent cross street is what remains of Tubarose St. and the long upslope road is Ali'i Avenue.
 Afternoon view of the main 'a'a channel in the foreground passing `Ekaha St., the uppermost cross street in Royal Gardens subdivision. The burning in the left center of the photo is from an 'a'a breakout from the main channel that eventually reached the uppermost tip of Ali'i Ave.
Left.Aerial morning view of the channelized 'a'a flow advancing into Royal Gardens subdivision and burning through a kipuka. The prominent cross street is what remains of Tubarose St. and the long upslope road is Ali'i Avenue.Right.Afternoon view of the main 'a'a channel in the foreground passing `Ekaha St., the uppermost cross street in Royal Gardens subdivision. The burning in the left center of the photo is from an 'a'a breakout from the main channel that eventually reached the uppermost tip of Ali'i Ave.
'A'a lobe on uppermost part of Ali'i Ave. This lobe later stalled and another became active to the west.
 Looking into the front of an advancing 'a'a flow in royal Gardens subdivision.
Left.'A'a lobe on uppermost part of Ali'i Ave. This lobe later stalled and another became active to the west.Right. Looking into the front of an advancing 'a'a flow in royal Gardens subdivision.

25 January 2008

Rootless shield field and small dome fountain

View looking upslope to rootless shield field with Pu`u `O`o (and copious fume) backed up by Mauna Loa. The tan flows going down and to the left are the flows that made it to within 280 m of the Royal Gardens subdivision nearly two weeks ago. The black pahoehoe flows in the middle of the frame and on either side of the tan `a`a flow are those that have advanced from the rootless shield field in the last 2-3 days; they appeared inactive.
 A near-horizontal profile shot of a mature rootless shield (left) and the new rootless shield (right). The mature shield is now more than 25 m (80 ft) high.
Left.View looking upslope to rootless shield field with Pu`u `O`o (and copious fume) backed up by Mauna Loa. The tan flows going down and to the left are the flows that made it to within 280 m of the Royal Gardens subdivision nearly two weeks ago. The black pahoehoe flows in the middle of the frame and on either side of the tan `a`a flow are those that have advanced from the rootless shield field in the last 2-3 days; they appeared inactive.Right. A near-horizontal profile shot of a mature rootless shield (left) and the new rootless shield (right). The mature shield is now more than 25 m (80 ft) high.
More baby pictures of the new rootless shield (shiny lava in left center), the rootless that collapsed two weeks ago (fume in center), and Pu`u `O`o and Mauna Loa in the background.
 Closeup of a small dome fountain from the top of the new rootless shield.
Left.More baby pictures of the new rootless shield (shiny lava in left center), the rootless that collapsed two weeks ago (fume in center), and Pu`u `O`o and Mauna Loa in the background.Right. Closeup of a small dome fountain from the top of the new rootless shield.
Lava issuing from an older rootless shield between the TEB vent and the new shield.
 Spatter from an older rootless shield near the TEB vent.
Left. Lava issuing from an older rootless shield between the TEB vent and the new shield.Right. Spatter from an older rootless shield near the TEB vent.

17 January 2008

Visual/infrared view, Royal Gardens Subdivision, and full view

A visual and infrared view of last week's lava flows that threatened Royal Gardens subdivision. In the visual view (left image), the underlying light tan `a`a flows are those from 1983-1986, the darker tan flow is last week's flow, and the dark pahoehoe flow in the lower left portion of the image is from early 2007. Note Mauna Kea in the far background and the TEB and rootless shields in the mid field. In the infrared view (right image), warmer colors are hotter temperatures. The hottest things in the image are the southeasternmost rootless shields whereas the recently active flows extending toward the lower right of the frame are relatively cool.
A visual and infrared view of last week's lava flows that threatened Royal Gardens subdivision. In the visual view (left image), the underlying light tan `a`a flows are those from 1983-1986, the darker tan flow is last week's flow, and the dark pahoehoe flow in the lower left portion of the image is from early 2007. Note Mauna Kea in the far background and the TEB and rootless shields in the mid field.

In the infrared view (right image), warmer colors are hotter temperatures. The hottest things in the image are the southeasternmost rootless shields whereas the recently active flows extending toward the lower right of the frame are relatively cool.

With Mauna Loa and Pu`u `O`o in the background, the dark tan flow going from upper right to lower left is the one that nearly entered the Royal Gardens subdivision. `Ekaha street, the highest cross street in the subdivision, is visible in the lower left. Note the intense fume coming out of Pu`u `O`o crater and blowing to the left.
 Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are in the background. From the left and going to the right, one can see the bright white fume from Pu`u `O`o crater, the small tan cinder cone called Pu`u Halulu, the mass of black lava that is the 7/21 and the TEB lavas, the tan oasis that is Kupaianaha which was active between 1986 and 1992, and then the green of Kalalua cone surrounded by dark gray Kupaianaha lavas. The light tan flows beyond the dark 7/21 lavas are those from Pu`u `O`o lava fountains.
Left.With Mauna Loa and Pu`u `O`o in the background, the dark tan flow going from upper right to lower left is the one that nearly entered the Royal Gardens subdivision. `Ekaha street, the highest cross street in the subdivision, is visible in the lower left. Note the intense fume coming out of Pu`u `O`o crater and blowing to the left.Right.Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are in the background. From the left and going to the right, one can see the bright white fume from Pu`u `O`o crater, the small tan cinder cone called Pu`u Halulu, the mass of black lava that is the 7/21 and the TEB lavas, the tan oasis that is Kupaianaha which was active between 1986 and 1992, and then the green of Kalalua cone surrounded by dark gray Kupaianaha lavas. The light tan flows beyond the dark 7/21 lavas are those from Pu`u `O`o lava fountains.

14 January 2008

Royal Gardens Subdivision, TEB, and a pair of skylights

Oblique aerial view of the 4.7 km (2.9 mile) long flow that stalled in its advance toward the Royal Gardens subdivision (still smoking). The intersection of Prince Avenue and Ekaha St. is in the foreground and Pu`u `O`o (left) and the TEB shield (right) are fuming in the background.
 Hovering over the recently stalled `a`a flow (tan) and looking northwest toward the TEB shield and Pu`u `O`o (upper left), showing the rootless shields and the breached shield that is now diverting most of its lava to the east (right) as a shiny, broad pahoehoe flow.
Left.Oblique aerial view of the 4.7 km (2.9 mile) long flow that stalled in its advance toward the Royal Gardens subdivision (still smoking). The intersection of Prince Avenue and Ekaha St. is in the foreground and Pu`u `O`o (left) and the TEB shield (right) are fuming in the background.Right. Hovering over the recently stalled `a`a flow (tan) and looking northwest toward the TEB shield and Pu`u `O`o (upper left), showing the rootless shields and the breached shield that is now diverting most of its lava to the east (right) as a shiny, broad pahoehoe flow.
View into a pair of skylights at the top of one of the rootless shields showing a 10 m (30 ft) high lava falls.
 HVO geologist Tim Orr standing in front of the initial `a`a flow for scale. This location is about halfway between the toe and the rootless shield field. The flow is an estimated 4.5 m (15 ft) thick.
Left.View into a pair of skylights at the top of one of the rootless shields showing a 10 m (30 ft) high lava falls.Right. HVO geologist Tim Orr standing in front of the initial `a`a flow for scale. This location is about halfway between the toe and the rootless shield field. The flow is an estimated 4.5 m (15 ft) thick.

11 January 2008

Channelized `a`a flow, and Royal Gardens Subdivision

Early morning view of the channelized `a`a flow extending southeast from the TEB shield complex. Overflows from the tops of other TEB shields are visible in the background.
 View of the nearly stagnant front of the `a`a flow above Royal Gardens subdivision.
Left. Early morning view of the channelized `a`a flow extending southeast from the TEB shield complex. Overflows from the tops of other TEB shields are visible in the background.Right.View of the nearly stagnant front of the `a`a flow above Royal Gardens subdivision.
The channelized `a`a flow active since Tuesday evening was initiated by the failure of the southeast side of the southeastern-most TEB shield. This photo shows the headwall scarp and breakout point. The headwall scarp is estimated at 15 m (~50 ft) high, and the crater formed during the breakout is estimated at 400 m (~1300 ft) long by 225 m (~740 ft) wide.
 A slightly more distant view of the breakout/failure point on the southeast side of the TEB shield complex. The hummocky rubble to the right of the channel in this photo is, at least in part, material washed out during the initial flooding stage of the breakout.
Left.The channelized `a`a flow active since Tuesday evening was initiated by the failure of the southeast side of the southeastern-most TEB shield. This photo shows the headwall scarp and breakout point. The headwall scarp is estimated at 15 m (~50 ft) high, and the crater formed during the breakout is estimated at 400 m (~1300 ft) long by 225 m (~740 ft) wide.Right.A slightly more distant view of the breakout/failure point on the southeast side of the TEB shield complex. The hummocky rubble to the right of the channel in this photo is, at least in part, material washed out during the initial flooding stage of the breakout.

10 January 2008

Breach in rootless shield, TEB, and Royal Gardens Subdivision

Lava channel formed due to a breach in rootless shield #4 of the TEB. The channel is feeding a southeast-directed `a`a flow that is advancing toward the Royal Gardens subdivision.
 Close-up of the channel source in rootless shield #4.
Left. Lava channel formed due to a breach in rootless shield #4 of the TEB. The channel is feeding a southeast-directed `a`a flow that is advancing toward the Royal Gardens subdivision. Right.Close-up of the channel source in rootless shield #4.
Terminus of the advancing `a`a flow. The breakout point for this flow is the fuming area in the background to the right. Pu`u `O`o is the fuming cone in the background toward the center of the picture.
 View of the top of Royal Gardens subdivision. The light grey flows in the center of the photo are from Pu`u `O`o in the 1980s. The very small fume source near the top center of the photo is the terminus of the `a`a flow from the shield #4 breach. The highest house in the subdivision can be seen on the long street to the right of the older lava flows. The flow was ~1.1 km (0.68 miles) from the top of the subdivision at the time the photo was taken.
Left. Terminus of the advancing `a`a flow. The breakout point for this flow is the fuming area in the background to the right. Pu`u `O`o is the fuming cone in the background toward the center of the picture.Right.View of the top of Royal Gardens subdivision. The light grey flows in the center of the photo are from Pu`u `O`o in the 1980s. The very small fume source near the top center of the photo is the terminus of the `a`a flow from the shield #4 breach. The highest house in the subdivision can be seen on the long street to the right of the older lava flows. The flow was ~1.1 km (0.68 miles) from the top of the subdivision at the time the photo was taken.

3 January 2008

Drained pond, "Thanksgiving Eve" breakout, and satellite shields

View of the rootless shields from the southeast. There are several shields in this view. The top of the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) shield is the high point on the local horizon.
 Close-up of lava issuing from the top of one of the rootless shields southeast of the TEB shield.
Left. View of the rootless shields from the southeast. There are several shields in this view. The top of the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) shield is the high point on the local horizon.Right. Close-up of lava issuing from the top of one of the rootless shields southeast of the TEB shield.
Looking up the now-drained perched channel which used to be the highest new structure in the area. The TEB shield looms above the perched channel in the background.
 A close-up look at the inside wall of the perched channel showing remnant ledges left from various levels of lava in the channel.
Left. Looking up the now-drained perched channel which used to be the highest new structure in the area. The TEB shield looms above the perched channel in the background.Right. A close-up look at the inside wall of the perched channel showing remnant ledges left from various levels of lava in the channel.


Eruption-viewing opportunities change constantly, refer to the HVO home page for current information. Those readers planning a visit to Kilauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes can get much useful information from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.


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