June 18, 2018 Crystal Clear Lava
A gorgeous morning over East Hawaii allowed for a spectacular view of the Leilani flow field. Fissure eight is changing shape, but continuing to pump out a remarkable volume of lava. Much of the fountaining activity is now confined within the nearly 200-foot high cinder cone Pele has built around her fountaining. Her fountains of fire feed enormous rivers that transport the molten rock to the Pacific Ocean in Kapoho. Tons of lava is entering the water there and a billowing plume emanates from the water’s surface. That entry point at the western end of what was once Vacationland is pretty much the only active lava entering the ocean now. There are also several large hot tide pools steaming in the flow field that filled Kapoho Bay. Homes on the north end of the Beach Lots are still in danger, although the lava seems to have stalled there for the most part.
Mahalo to Paradise Helicopters and Bruce Omori at Extreme Exposure