page_title: Lava channel
hierarchical_section_title: Lava channel
caption_attribution_description: English: Pāhoehoe Lava flows in the open lava channel (not in a Lava tube) with overflows at both sides. The image was taken at The Big Island of Hawaii. The lava flow is due to July 21, 2007 fissure eruption at Kīlauea volcano.The channel is crusting over with a v-shaped opening pointing upstream. The crusting-over process usually starts at the upstream end, the crust grows downstream for a considerable distance, then the crust founders and sinks opening the channel to crusting over again. The main channel and overflows show perched nature of this kind of lava channels. The picture was taken from a helicopter. The link to the map of the flow by USGS.
context_page_description: A lava channel is a stream of fluid lava contained within zones of static lava or lava levees. The initial channel may not contain levees per se, until the parental flow solidifies over what develops into the channel and creates natural levees. This initial levee allows for the building of a more complex levee and channel. As the lava flows through the channel, the elevation of the surface of the lava flow pulsates and lava can possibly flood the associated channel walls spilling out of the channel and over the existing levees, creating what is known as overflow levees. Overflow levees increase the height and width of the original levee. The lava that flows in lava channels is commonly basaltic in composition.
context_section_description: A lava channel is a stream of fluid lava contained within zones of static (i.e., solid and stationary) lava or lava levees.  The initial channel may not contain levees per se, until the parental flow solidifies over what develops into the channel and creates natural levees.  This initial levee allows for the building of a more complex levee and channel.  As the lava flows through the channel, the elevation of the surface of the lava flow pulsates and lava can possibly flood the associated channel walls spilling out of the channel and over the existing levees, creating what is known as overflow levees.  Overflow levees increase the height and width of the original levee.  The lava that flows in lava channels is commonly basaltic in composition.
caption: Pāhoehoe lava flow on the Big Island of Hawaii The picture shows overflows from a main lava channel. The channel is crusting over with a v-shaped opening pointing upstream (top left). The main channel and overflows show the perched nature of this kind of lava channel. Red liquid lava is breaking through ephemeral levees at the overflows.
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