Big Island lava flow
offers best sight since
fall, official says
HILO >> A broad lava flow heading downhill in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is Kilauea's best display since fall, said Don Swanson, scientist in charge of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
However, the flow is still nearly three miles uphill from the Chain of Craters Road viewing site, he said. And while the flow is about 800 feet wide, only sections are glowing and moving at any moment, he said.
Park ranger Mardie Lane said that there are moments of excitement as the lava burns through isolated trees, and one after another goes up in flames.
The flow could get more exciting, since it has reached a steep area where its speed could increase, Swanson said.
But the lava could also flow sideways and form upland ponds on the "stair step" hillside, or it could simply shut off, as it has in the past, he said.
About 350 visitors a day have been taking in the sight, Lane said, a far cry from days when lava was flowing into the ocean with 10 times that number of people watching.