NPS Photo by Bob Serber.
Introduction
Hawaiian-style eruptions are non-explosive eruptions of gusher-like lava fountains (“fire fountains” or “curtains of fire”) that generate red-hot lava rivers of very fluid basaltic lavas. Hawaiian eruptions are typical for shield volcanoes, where eruptions take place both at the summit and at fissure vents.
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Typical magma composition: basaltic
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Description: Effusive (nonexplosive)
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Eruption Products: Pahoehoe lava flows. Pele’s tears, Pele’s hair, and spatter.
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National Park examples: Mauna Loa and Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Featured Videos
- Duration:
- 59 seconds
Fountaining spatter cone and lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu crater as seen from the eruption viewing area near Keanakākoʻi Overlook. December 20, 2021
- Duration:
- 44.678 seconds
Lava cascaded from the wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater into a pool at the bottom, shortly after the summit eruption began on December 20, 2020. Video by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Kīlauea Summit Eruption (Feb 11, 2021)
Related Links
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii—[Geodiversity Atlas] [Park Home] [Eruptions] [npshistory.com]
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Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona—[Geodiversity Atlas] [Park Home] [Volcanoes] [npshistory.com]