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AROUND THE WORLD 3: Kilauea Volcano Shoots Lava

A 44-acre lava shelf collapsed into the ocean causing a stream of lava from Kilauea Volcano to shoot out 45-feet above water. The lava plume was 6-feet in diameter and shot up into the air before hitting water and forming new land.

Jim Kauahikaua, a scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said the lava shelf had formed cracks in June and a warning had been issued. Since Kilauea began its 1983 eruption, large chunks of land have collapsed, though none as large as the solid shelf of lava and sea cliff this past week.

The ground rumbled for over 4 hours before the shelf finally broke off to reveal a lava waterfall. Jim Gale, a park spokesperson, told the Associated Press, "The cliff just caved away like a glacier. It just sheared off that old wall. There's this gigantic steam plume and you see the red just falling down--an incredible fire hose display."

Large boulders and chunks of lava spilled out after the collapse. Further inland about 1,800 feet, sheets of volcanic glass, called imu o Pele--named after the Hawaiian goddess of fire--and thinner strands of volcanic class, Pele's hair, were found.

--Written by Renee Clara

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