Kilauea Eruption
December 28, 2010
Photographer: Shyam Saksena
Summary Author: Shyam Saksena; Jim Foster
The photo above shows lava and steam spewing from the active crater of the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. I excitedly shot a series of pictures while our tour helicopter hovered over the crater. Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes -- erupting nearly continuously since 1983. Note the lava, at a temperature of approximately 3,000 F (about 1,650 C) oozing down the flanks of the crater. Some sulfur dioxide could be detected as well. In contrast to this fiery exhibition, when I visited the Big Island in January 2004, its two notable volcanic peaks, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, were both clad in snow. Photo taken on January 10, 2004.
Photo details: Canon EOS camera; 120 mm lens.