Many volcanic eruptions originate from fractures that reach the Earth's surface. Eruptive fissures, such as producing this curtain of fire along the east rift zone of Kīlauea volcano in July 1986, often extend radially away from the summit of a volcano. Light-colored lava flows fed by the lava fountains move downslope on both sides of the fissure. At some volcanoes fissures follow the direction of regional faults, and circumferential fissures can open around the rim of a volcanic caldera.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1986.

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

Kilauea