Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Photo and Video Chronology - Kīlauea - July 24, 2004

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory July 24, 2004

Taking a chance, a BIG chance; Amalgamated Bend shield

This is a photo of breakouts southwest of point on eastern Banana lava delta.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Looking east at breakouts southwest of point on eastern Banana lava delta. One small lava falls and glow from other entries provide foreground for predawn sky.
This is a photo of breakouts southwest of point on eastern Banana lava delta.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Similar view but with longer lens.

The next four images are of a person unfamiliar with the danger of the lava delta (bench). Wandering out in the darkness without reading about the danger, he asked a couple of "kids" (his word) where to see lava and they told him where to go, to a spot they had been minutes before. This was the lava delta. The person followed that bad advice and put himself in a position from which four others have never returned. Your photographer spoke with the person afterward. He is probably like many of you or your friends. Ignorant of the danger, he "went for it" without taking the time to learn about where he was going. Please, take that time, heed the warnings, don't go beyond the rope barrier, and don't blindly follow those who might venture onto the delta.

 

 

This is a photo of a person observing breakouts southwest of point on eastern Banana lava delta.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Suddenly a person appears in the view, almost directly above the falls at the very edge of the delta. He didn't stay here long, moving instead a little southwest, perhaps for better perspective.
This is a photo of a person observing breakouts southwest of point on eastern Banana lava delta.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Here he is, 12 minutes later, at new perch only a little safer than the original.

 

This is a photo of a person observing as lava cascade emerges through the laze.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Still there, 8 minutes later, as lava cascade emerges through the laze.
This is a photo of a person observing as lava cascade emerges through the laze.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Nearly ready to leave, 21 minutes after his arrival, he holds a video camera as steam obscures easier shots.

 

This is a photo of lava in collapse pit on top of Amalgamated Bend shield along Mother's Day tube south of Pu`u `O`o.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Lava in collapse pit on top of Amalgamated Bend shield along Mother's Day tube south of Pu`u `O`o. Lava is at shallower depth than it was on previous day (see images for July 23). Note that thin crust on lava pond has no large wrinkle on left-hand surface.
This is a photo of lava in collapse pit on top of Amalgamated Bend shield along Mother's Day tube south of Pu`u `O`o.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Not quite 2 minutes later, a large wrinkle has developed on thin crust, as lava circulates below crust.

 

Get Our News

These items are in the RSS feed format (Really Simple Syndication) based on categories such as topics, locations, and more. You can install and RSS reader browser extension, software, or use a third-party service to receive immediate news updates depending on the feed that you have added. If you click the feed links below, they may look strange because they are simply XML code. An RSS reader can easily read this code and push out a notification to you when something new is posted to our site.

Hawaii News

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory News

Kīlauea News

Natural Hazards News

United States of America News

Volcano Hazards Program News