As the lava enters the ocean, huge clouds of hydrogen sulfide gas are created. The water causes the lava to explode, forming the fine black sand of our beautiful beaches.
Above Pu'u O'o vent with it's bubbling pool of lava. The black crust within the vent walls covers an underground lake of magma 600' deep. Lava is called magma when it is below the surface.
	Pu'u O'o vent during a cycle of increased activity. Everyday is different, even the pilots don't know what to expect.
Pu'u O'o is on the backbone of Kilauea volcano, home of Madame Pele, goddess of fire.