THURSTON (Nahuku) Lava Tube ~ Volcano, Hawai`i U.S.A.
Posted by: 
Jake39
N 19° 24.829 W 155° 14.312
5Q E 264936 N 2148143
This 'Lava Cave' is located along Crater Rim Drive in "Volcano National Park"
Waymark Code: WMC4E3
Location: Hawaii, United States
Date Posted: 07/24/2011
Views: 32
500-year old lava cave located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Lava caves like this are formed when a river of lava gradually builds solid walls and a ceiling. When the lava flow stops and the last of it passes downhill, a cave is formed. These caves can be a few feet high and only yards long, or they can stretch for miles with high ceilings.
The solidified drips and waves of once-liquid lava rock clearly show the molten forces that created this cave. Your flashlight reveals beautiful shapes and colors of minerals leeching from the rock
To large lit 'cave' is to the left and a smaller gated unlit cave to the right. The smaller cave can be accessed but flashlight for save footing is required. This cave ends at about 30feet into a narrow crevice.
The Thurston Lava Tube is a fantastic example of a massive lava cave.A 2-1/2 minute history video (visit link)
~ Some of the photos can be viewed with 3D glasses 3D photo credit: Phil Stoffer, USGS