Mount Kilauea Volcano Lets It Flow

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano has been putting on an even bigger show of late, with huge fiery fountains of molten rock and lava flows so large they can be seen from space.

Returning from a trip this week, I switched on the BBC to catch up on the news. Filling my television screen was some fantastic footage of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano in full flow.

Kilauea is the world's most active volcano. It is situated on the eastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Mauna Loa, the park's other active volcano, is the most massive mountain on earth. Together they have created an eerie landscape of deep craters, crusty cinder cones, steaming vents, pumice heaps and blackened lava fields up to 3 miles wide

Kilauea has been erupting continually since 1983. But it has been more ferocious than usual since its latest eruption which began last Sunday. Enormous lava "waves" nearly 40 feet high have been recorded. The flow of lava down the mountainside is so large and deep that satellites in space have registered the heat image.

In the build-up to the eruption, there were small explosions which shot out rock ash and flashing red flame at the Halemaumau fuming vent, one of the volcanic features around the crater. Another, Puu Oo, was emitting 4,800 tons of sulfur dioxide a day, far above normal. So far, the toxic gases have not endangered nearby villages.

Several earthquakes were recorded in the area on July 7. Could this have triggered the eruption? Or is Kilauea simply celebrating its 25th birthday with its own spectacular brand of fireworks.

The BBC has some fantastic aerial footage of Kilauea's eruption on its website. Fast-flowing rivers of molten rock stream down the mountainside, swallowing everything in their path. Best of all are the huge fiery fountains of lava bubbling out of the fissures like cauldrons from hell.

As you watch this amazing display, be sure to wish Kilauea a Happy Birthday!

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