Thurston Lava Tube

Thurston Lava tube is a a 350-500 year-old lava tube at the summit of Kilauea Caldera located in Volcano National Park. Flows from Kilauea are responsible for the formation of this lava tube. Lava tubes are formed by underground lava hardening on the outside of the flow while lava continued to flow within. This is a very efficient way for lava to flow without cooling very fast. The result is a hollow tube. Lava tubes can extend over many miles, though this one extends only 150 meters. Today this tube is cool and very moist inside, containing lava stalagmites and stalactites. The area surrounding the Thurston Lava Tube is considered a rain forest.

For cartoons depicting the development of lava tubes, look at: http://www2.lapietra.edu/web/238/Kilauea/Ltube.html

Photo by Tim Lincoln

Steve uses his flashlight to look at the interior walls of the lava tube. In some remote parts of the Thurston Lava Tube, it is nearly impossible to see without a light of some sort.