USGS Photo by Tim Orr (March 28, 2008)
Steam and fumes rise where lava enters the ocean. (click on photo for a larger version). Notice the visitor viewing area on the left side of the photo
Lava is currently flowing into the ocean from a vent that is outside the boundaries of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The site is east of the eastern boundary of the park and about 12 miles from the summit caldera of Kilauea.
Lava from the TEB (Thanksgiving Eve Breakout) vent and the rootless shield complex continues to flow through tubes to the ocean at Waikupanaha.
Hawai`i County has opened a viewing area at the end of Highway 130. Visitors may enter the viewing area between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily (vehicles must exit the area by 10 p.m. when the gates will be locked). See: Map to Viewing Area
Visitors may call the lava update recorded message for more information about the lava viewing area at the end of Hwy 130: (808) 961-8093.
Lava viewing conditions are unpredictable and constantly changing. There may be times when wind direction changes and blows fumes/smoke toward the viewing area, making it unsafe for the public. Safety issues such as these may cause the viewing area to be closed without prior notice.
Visitors should be prepared for a long walk. Wear shoes. Bring a backpack with bottled water and snacks. Flashlights are essential for after 6pm - headlamps are helpful.
HAZARD ALERT: The lava delta and adjacent areas both inland and out to sea are some of the most hazardous areas on the flow field. Frequent delta/bench collapses give little warning, can produce hot rock falls inland and in the adjacent ocean, and can produce large but local waves. The steam plume produced by lava entering the ocean contains fine lava fragments and an assortment of acid droplets that can be harmful to your health. The rapidly changing conditions near the ocean entry have been responsible for many injuries and a few deaths.
Bubble bursts and steam jets from the Waikupanaha bench attracts a lot of attention when they occur. However, these phenomena can be a prelude to a bench collapse as they are caused by bench cracks allowing seawater access to the active lava tube. Overflights of the area by scientists confirmed that cracking has occurred and may be continuing.
Even though it doesn't build large benches, the Waikupanaha bench has collapsed frequently and produced an unusually high volume of explosion ejecta. This alert is a reminder that hazards do exist around lava ocean entry sites and benches and this entry at this time may be particularly hazardous.
The eruptive vent is in a remote and inaccessible area east of the park in the Kahauale'a natural area reserve. Due to hazardous conditions, the State of Hawai'i has closed access to the vent site.
