Highest lava fountain during eruption of Kīlauea Iki, Kīlauea

As seen from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (1358 hrs), the highest lava fountain of the Kīlauea Iki eruption reaches 580 m (1,900 ft) above the vent (not visible in photograph). Observers described the "awesome and terrifying" fountain as having developed in only 12 minutes with no warning from a small 8-15 m (26-50 ft)fountain. This tremendous fountain led rangers of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to consider an evacuation of the Park's housing area, 1.2-1.8 km (0.7-1.1 mi) northwest of the vent. The dark cloud on the leeward side of the fountain (right) consists of falling tephra, primarily pumice.