September 6, 2022 — Kīlauea Southwest Rift Zone Lava Tree

Lava erupted from Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone in 1823 formed this lava tree that stands approximately 4 feet (1.2 meters) high. Lava trees form when hot and flowing lava contacts a cool and moist tree, forming a coating of solid lava. This coating temporarily insulates the tree from the lava flowing around it, but eventually the tree burns but leaves behind a cavity where it used to exist. The direction that the lava flow travelled is visible in the direction that the lava wrapped around the tree. USGS image by K. Mulliken.