Amazing Images from Kilauea's Lava Lake

Mount Kilauea

The lava lake at Kilauea's summit reached its highest level in October 2012, 150 to 165 feet (45 to 50 meters) below the floor of Halema'uma'u crater, since the vent started erupting in 2008.

Crater

A closer view of the spattering at Halema'uma'u crater in Kilauea volcano. This photo shows the spattering is actually 200 to 230 feet (60 to 70 meters) out from the vent wall, toward the center of the pit.

Kilauea's summit

The lava lake at Kilauea's summit was about 150 feet (46 meters) below the floor of Halema'uma'u crater on Oct. 14, 2012 the highest it has reached since the vent erupted in 2008.

Lava lake

A view of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater with the caldera wall of Mount Kilauea in the background. The National Park Service's Jaggar Museum and the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are visible at the summit.

Halema'uma'u Crater

The lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano, with spattering along its western edge.

Ponding and cooling

The lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano, with spattering along its western edge. The spatter from the lava lake was landing, in part, on the ledge adjacent to the lake, and then flowing away in a small channel toward the southern side of the vent where it was ponding and cooling.

Splattering lava

The lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano. Continuous spattering at the southern lake margin tosses spatter onto the crusted lake surface as well as onto the rim of the ledge, building a steep spatter rampart (left side of image).

Pele's hair

Pele's hair covers much of the ground in the area immediately downwind of the vent at Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano.