Lava tube on the Big Island
Located in Kalaoa, Hawaii
400x240
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This lava tube was created when a crust formed over the surface of a pahoehoe (smooth surfaced lava) lava flow. The crust cooled, thickened, and stopped moving, while the core of lava beneath still advanced downhill to the ocean. When the fluid lava drained away, a cavity remained that resembles a tunnel, with a flat floor and an arched ceiling. Most lava tubes are short and shallow, being little more than vaults, but some like this one are 9-15 meters high and are longer, some are several kilometers in length. This lava tube is located approximately 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) north of the Kona International Airport next to the highway and is very easy to find.
Lava tubes are very common on the Big Island of Hawaii with this one being big enough to drive a truck through. Photographed with a Canon 20mm lens, Fujicolor 400 film. Kaidan Kiwi pano head, Bogen tripod, spun with Nodester on a Power Macintosh G3.