Aerial view of southeast coast of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i

Photo Information

Photograph by J. Kauahikaua on October 11, 2002

This view is northwest across coastal plain of Kilauea from West Highcastle lava delta to Pu`u `O`o (upper right skyline). The delta extends 250 m seaward from old sea cliff and adds nearly 9 hectares of new land to Hawai`i. Lava flows through tubes between Pulama pali (steep fault scarp in top part of photo) and the sea. Frequent lava breakouts onto coastal plain since July widened active flow field eastward (right side of photo) and westward. White fume is acidic steam plume (laze) resulting from boiling of sea water by hot lava entering water.