On March 6, 2011, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were stationed along Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone to monitor the progression of erupting fissures that had opened west of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō the day before. Lava spewing from this fissure (background) reached heights up to 30 m (100 ft) and produced a massive lava flow, visible behind the HVO scientist. This event, known as the Kamoamoa fissure eruption, lasted only five days. USGS photo, N. Richter