Lava Drapery

Lava drapery and bench east of Kupapa‘u Point. The drapery was formed when lava flowed over a sea cliff onto the new land forming at its base. New land forms as lava deltas build seaward over steep submarine slopes of spatter, black sand, and pillow lava. These slopes are unstable and prone to slumping, which removes support for the active, leading edge of the lava delta, or “bench.” Benches and deltas can collapse unexpectedly (photo by J.D. Griggs, 4/13/88, JG11606)