Pahoehoe lava enters the sea, Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i

Photo Information

Photograph by J.D. Griggs on June 3, 1990

Pahoehoe lava "toe" spills over a cobble beach into the sea. The initial phase of activity that usually occurs when lava flows reach the sea is the relatively passive boiling of seawater. After traveling about 12 km from the vent to the southeast coast of Kilauea Volcano, lava temperatures typically vary between about 1100 and 1150 degrees Celsius.

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Updated: 2 June 2000 (SRB)

Photo Information
Photograph by J.D. Griggs on June 3, 1990
Pahoehoe lava "toe" spills over a cobble beach into the sea. The initial phase of activity that usually occurs when lava flows reach the sea is the relatively passive boiling of seawater. After traveling about 12 km from the vent to the southeast coast of Kilauea Volcano, lava temperatures typically vary between about 1100 and 1150 degrees Celsius.