Fissure 8: Big Island East Rift Zone

I have been writing about Big Island, Hawaii for nearly a month I think, but I still haven't shown or talked about the main event that is going on over there. It is the hyperactive eruption from the Kilauea Volcano and the East Rift Zone towards the southern end of the island. All these shots are from a Helicopter so apologies for vibration and blurry nature; but I tried to do the best I can.

This is Fissure 8, currently the most active fissure, from the East Rift Zone.

The lava out of the fissure currently flows to the NE, in the form of a lava river and then makes a sharp turn to the south and enter the Pacific Ocean.

Houses and urban grid pattern of the Leilani Estates can be clearly seen here. Urban grid is NS-EW.

Here the lava enters the oceans and creates a steam plume, which is the white cloud/smoke you see there. The field of view is nearly 1 km wide.

Finally Fissure 8 from a distance with the classic mushroom cloud and trade wind blowing the gas plume to the West and North West.

All maps linked here are from the USGS website

Disclaimer: All photographs are my own. Just ask me please if you like to use and share; citing the source is fine.