Lava update!

Our lava charter on Thursday, March 31st, documented continued activity on Kilauea’s east rift zone, as flows continue to push into the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve, with the distal tip roughly 5 miles to the northeast of Pu‘u ‘O‘o.  The crater itself was enshrouded with an area of low clouds, so we weren’t able to view the lava pond.  And while breakouts were plentiful on the flow field, most were quite small and overall activity was at a lower level as compared to last week.  Here are some photos from the flight…

A nice breakout of pahoehoe flows down an embankment, its surface cooling with a ropey texture.

A skylight, an opening in the roof of the main lava tube, gives us a peek at the raging river of lava within.

A low cloud mass enshrouds the summit of Pu‘u ‘O‘o, obscuring a view of the lava pond. The line of rising gases on the left side of the frame demarks the main lava tube on the vent’s north flank.

The distal tip, approximately 5 miles from Pu‘u ‘O‘o, seems to be stagnating with just a small breakout visible.

A large breakout spills lava onto the flow field, continuing the overplating process.