Kilauea Lava flow, Hawaii

Kilauea volcano, 1250m (4090ft) high is the youngest and most active of Hawaii's volcanoes. It can be studied and observed up close in relative safety in the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, Puna district, approx. 48 km from Hilo. Since January 1983 eruptive activity has been continuous along the east rift zone, making Kilauea the world's longest erupting volcano. The basaltic Hawaiian lavas have two distinct forms, although chemically they are the same: *a'a* (viscous, rough) and p*ahoehoe* (smooth, ropy, billowy).This image is a close-up of recent (1980 when the photograph was taken) *pahoehoe* lava cascading down a slope, showing its metallic-looking surface.