KilaueaKilauea volcano, Big Island, Hawaii. A hot basaltic lava flow is forming a crust with a ropy texture, a classic example of what is known as pahoehoe lava.  Photograph Ron Schott

The lava is flowing onto a blanket of cinders produced during the early stages of the Pu’u ‘O’o eruption from 1983 to 1986.