Scientists eye glowing volcano crater in Hawaii

[IDemo]

Molten lava is bubbling just 300 feet below Kilauea’s crater floor

AP - updated 7:47 p.m. MT, Sat., June 6, 2009

VOLCANO, Hawaii - The summit of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is glowing brightly as molten lava swirls 300 feet below its crater's floor, bubbling near the surface after years of spewing from the volcano's side.

The expanding vent of Halemaumau crater helps confirm scientists' belief that the lava is close to the surface of the summit, Janet Babb, a geologist and spokeswoman for the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, told West Hawaii Today.

Park rangers have begun keeping the overlook at the Jaggar Museum open later at night to accommodate the growing number of visitors arriving at dusk or after dark to view the glow.

Kilauea has been erupting for more than 25 years, with its lava creating a plume of steam as it spills into the Pacific Ocean.

[MADem]

1. There used to be a USN ammo ship named after that volcano.

It was transferred to the Military Sealift Command and redisgnated a USNS vessel.

Didn't they use that volcano in the film "DEVIL at Four O'Clock?"