A lobe of ropy pahoehoe lava slowly oozes across the surface of a lava flow at Piton de la Fournaise volcano in the Indian Ocean in March 1976. The wrinkled surface of pahoehoe lava forms when the still molten interior advances, dragging along the solidifying crust of the flow. Areas of incandescent lava can be seen between the surface coils of the more solidifed lobe at the upper left.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1976.

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

Piton de la Fournaise