Photo Information

Aerial view of `a`a lava flow moves through forest, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Photograph by R.W. Decker on October 5, 1983
A channeled `a`a flow from Pu`u `O`o cuts a swath through the forest. The characteristic rough, blocky surface of cooled `a`a is visible at the margins f the flow. The river of lava inside the channel travels much faster than the flow actually advances. This is because the lava river fans out at the terminus of the flow and slows as its margins cool.