The US Geological Survey recently posted an image taken in 1969 by photographer J.B. Judd, which shows a rare dome fountain. Measuring about 65 feet (20 meters) high, the symmetrical dome fountain was one of twelve fountaining events that occurred during the first year of the eruption. The outward spread of lava during the fountaining events was so heavy that it spilled into the ocean 7.5 miles away.
The symmetrical dome fountain lasted for several days, from October 10 to October 13, and may have reached up to 245 feet in height. So what makes this dome fountain so special? Typical fountaining events are upward sprays of lava, like a geyser. Instead, to see a glowing orb akin to Epcot Center formed from lava is exceedingly rare. Though the photo deceptively looks like the domed fountain is sitting in the middle of water, the event occurred on land. The waves in the foreground are actually ripples of lava.
Fountaining typically occurs when an eruption of lava from a fissure, vent, or lava lake is triggered when gas bubbling up in the molten rock causes expansion—and explosion. Though Mauna Ulu is no longer the longest running eruption—Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, which has been ongoing since 1983 wins that prize—the photograph is a reminder of just how active Hawaii’s volcanos have been throughout history.
Photos from the US Geological Survey’s archive demonstrate the impressive nature of the Mauna Ulu eruption of Kilauea Volcano, which lasted from 1969 to 1974.
Lava falls higher than American Falls at Niagara begin to fill ‘Alae Crater on August 5, 1969. The total height of the lava falls is more than 330 feet, and the width more than 1000 ft.
Tallest fountain of the eruption (1770 feet) on September 6, 1969.