Kilauea Volcano Active Eruptions

A strong lava flow from the Pu`u O`o eruptive crater raged through the mostly abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision starting (again) on December 2nd, 2011 and again in early March 2012; eventually reaching the Pacific ocean. The very steep terrain there created some spectacular action with the two types of lava rivers: a`a and pahoehoe. The lava stopped flowing into the ocean in November 2013.

Royal Gardens_2700_ Lone figure<br />
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Looking down from a steep section on the Pulama Pali in Royal Gardens. In the fore & backgrounds you see some older (Feb. 2010) pahoehoe lava forms and far below are rivers of a`a lava creating massive mounds and fields; the dark areas are just-cooling a`a - two previously killed ohia trees smoulder from the heat.. This is being feed by continuous supply from the crater four miles further up -- <br />
For perspective, a lone hiker (red speck upper left) gazes on near the fifty-foot tall dead burning tree snag.<br />
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Image# Royal Gardens_SP_2700

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Royal Gardens_2700_ Lone figure

Looking down from a steep section on the Pulama Pali in Royal Gardens. In the fore & backgrounds you see some older (Feb. 2010) pahoehoe lava forms and far below are rivers of a`a lava creating massive mounds and fields; the dark areas are just-cooling a`a - two previously killed ohia trees smoulder from the heat.. This is being feed by continuous supply from the crater four miles further up --
For perspective, a lone hiker (red speck upper left) gazes on near the fifty-foot tall dead burning tree snag.

Image# Royal Gardens_SP_2700

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