This photo shows an eruption of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii and it was captured between 10 and 13 October 1969. The amazing “fireball” we see is a formation called “dome fountain.” According to USGS, symmetrical dome fountains like this are rare, the photo was taken by photographer J.B. Judd.
source/image: USGS
Dome fountain of episode 10, October 10–13, 1969, eruption of Kilauea Volcano. This dome fountain is about 20 m (65 ft) high. Symmetrical dome fountains such as this are rare.
Dome fountain of episode 10, October 10–13, 1969, eruption of Kilauea Volcano. This dome fountain is about 20 m (65 ft) high. Symmetrical dome fountains such as this are rare. #Tbt #HI @Volcanoes_NPS pic.twitter.com/sKSQaVINKs
— USGS (@USGS) March 29, 2018
Cases such as the Mauna Ulu eruption of Kilauea Volcano which lasted 1,774 days is a testament to this notion. The volcano had released 460 million cubic yards of lava emission between the year 1969 to 1974 becoming one of the longest-running eruptions in recorded history.
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The fountaining phenomena, as they are called, involves the upward emission of lava similar to that of a geyser. It often occurs when the eruption of lava from fissures, vent or lava lake is catalyzed by bubbling gas and molten rocks. This event contrastingly had an orbital structure which is extremely rare according to experts.
