Lava bubbles explode on Kamokuna lava bench, south coast of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i

Photo Information

Photograph by C. Heliker on January 18, 1999

Lava bubbles explode from two openings in the roof of the lava tube system on the Kamokuna lava bench. The openings are located 10-25 m inland from the edge of the bench. The largest bubbles tossed fragments as high as 40 m and flung ribbons of spatter several meters long that landed intact on the bench. The bursts were accompanied by loud, chugging noises as the lava exploded from the tube. During the activity, a steam jet (lower right) produced a vigorous white steam plume.

These explosions occur when seawater flashes to steam within the confined space of an active lava tube. For more information about the cause of lava bubbles and other explosions that occur on lava benches, see types of explosions.