Volcano Overflight: New Lava River Forms

Video music by from Jake Shimabukuro’s Kilauea from his new album Nashville Sessions.

Paradise Helicopters crew with Tropical Visions Video’s photographer/videographer Mick Kalber conducted a volcano flyover at 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24.

A new lava flow, which started on Monday, Nov. 21, continues flowing east from just below the Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent.

As of Thanksgiving morning, the flow had advanced about .75 miles from the vent.

“Numerous pahoehoe toes dot the surface of the flow, and a sizable skylight at the top reveals lava steadily feeding its downslope outbreaks,” said Kalber.

A new surface flow is sending lava down the face of the Pali.

“Pele’s lava rivers there are quite robust, and a new one broke out as we filmed,” said Kalber “Rainy weather made our documentation difficult, but also created a gorgeous rainbow above the ocean entry.”

The 61g flow continues unabated, dumping tons of lava into the Pacific Ocean at Kamokuna just inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Kalber reported.

“Pele sends her flows through the tube system from the vent some six miles to the new lava delta, which continues to make the Big Island bigger, minute by minute, day by day,” said Kalber.

Heavy flows into the water frequently explode as the cool sea water is not able to cool them off quickly enough, and the resulting steam sends lava rocks skyward. The lava delta is enormous… well over 20 acres large now, even though cracks indicate a collapse may decrease that figure at any time. The huge plume of

“The lava delta is enormous… well over 20 acres large now, even though cracks indicate a collapse may decrease that figure at any time,” said Kalber.

The huge plume of laze from the ocean entry can be seen for many miles. We saw no tour boats, nor any other visitors on

“We saw no tour boats, nor any other visitors onshore watching the creation of the newest land on Earth,” said Kalber.

“Pele continues to form new black sand beaches along the coast near her ocean entries,” said Kalber.

The hot lava’s interaction with the cold seawater shattering the flow into bits that are then tumbled into submission. Come take in this magnificent sight while you can… visitors can gain access from either the Kalpana of HVNP side by walking out the temporary access road, which goes directly to the ocean entry! The walk is lengthy, however, and precautions should be observed. Bruce Omori and I had another terrific charter flight with the Smiley Face Paradise pilot, Colin

“Come take in this magnificent sight while you can… visitors can gain access from either the Kalpana of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park-side by walking out the temporary access road, which goes directly to the ocean entry!” said Kalber

The walk is lengthy, however, and precautions should be observed.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory cautions visitors viewing the 61g flow ocean entry (where lava meets the sea), that there are additional significant hazards besides walking on uneven surfaces and around unstable, extremely steep sea cliffs.Venturing too close to an ocean entry exposes you to flying debris created by the explosive interaction between lava and water. Also, the new land created is unstable because it is built on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand. This loose material can easily be eroded away by surf, causing the new land to become unsupported and slide into the sea. In several instances, such collapses, once started, have also incorporated parts of the older sea cliff.

Venturing too close to an ocean entry exposes you to flying debris created by the explosive interaction between lava and water. Also, the new land created is unstable because it is built on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand. This loose material can easily be eroded away by surf, causing the new land to become unsupported and slide into the sea. In several instances, such collapses, once started, have also incorporated parts of the older sea cliff.

Also, the new land created is unstable because it is built on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand. This loose material can easily be eroded away by surf, causing the new land to become unsupported and slide into the sea. In several instances, such collapses, once started, have also incorporated parts of the older sea cliff.

Finally, the interaction of lava with the ocean creates a corrosive seawater plume laden with hydrochloric acid and fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes and lungs.