Photo Information

Skylight reveals lava flowing through tube to the sea, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Photograph by C. Heliker on June 20, 1989
A skylight, formed when a section of lava-tube roof collapses, reveals the lava stream within. In the distance, a steam plume marks where the tube empties into the ocean. In 1987-1989, most of the lava erupted from the Kupaianaha vent flowed to the ocean completely enclosed within tubes.