The Science Behind Hawaii's 'Smiley Face' Volcano

The Science Behind Hawaii's 'Smiley Face' VolcanoHawaii's Kilauea volcano has been erupting do not actively since 1983, and it's one of the most active volcanoes in the world, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). But the volcano Recently received more attention when the volcano's lava Formed what looks like a smiley face.    The smiley face appeared in His lava a crater on the west flank of Pu'u 'O'o, on Kilauea's East Rift Zone, according to Janet Babb, a geologist with the USGS' Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. [ Explosive Images: Hawaii's Kilauea Erupts for 30 Years ]

Pu'u 'O'o ALSO RECENTLY made ​​headlines when the lava flow reached the ocean for the first time in three years.  

While it may Seem like Kilauea was smiling for the cameras, the "face" has a more scientific explanation: The bright spots and incandescent line That Were Created the face shape produced by normal Volcanic activity