A lava fountain, fed by gas pressure within the basaltic magma of the 1984 Mauna Loa eruption, produces vertical jets of molten lava. Still-fluid, incandescent lava bombs litter the slopes of a cone that was contructed by ejecta that accumulated around the vent. This April photo was taken during a late stage of the eruption that began on March 25 and lasted until April 15.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1984.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Mauna Loa