Volcano Overflight: Pele Flows Downhill

“Pele sends her hot molten rock pouring down the steepest part of the Pali, a veritable plethora of flows break out far above the Pali, and she continues to build her new lava delta at the Kamokuna ocean entry,” said Tropical Visions Video photographer and videographer Mick Kalber about Paradise Helicopters’ Thursday, May 18, Kīlauea overflight.

“Pele’s surface lava has finally reached the steepest portion of the Pali, numerous breakouts sent lava coursing down the hill,” he continued.

Kalber said the ocean entry’s lava delta continues to grow rapidly and is now several acres large.

“Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō was inaccessible today, as it was surrounded by clouds,” he added.

Kalber and the crew saw no outbreaks at all on the coastal flats on Thursday. However, he anticipates it will happen again soon as the flow advances downslope.