00:34 Lava-dome Fountain in Hawaii Is One Geologists Will Never Forget The USGS shared this incredible image on Twitter as a throwback to an amazing sight in 1969. Here’s what you’re seeing.

At a Glance An image of a 65-foot-tall lava dome was shared last week by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The "Throwback Thursday" image was originally taken Oct. 11, 1969, nearly a half-century ago.

A spectacular image of a lava bubble in Hawaii quickly gained hundreds of retweets last week, even though the phenomenon occurred nearly a half-century ago.

The photo was shared on Twitter by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of the popular "Throwback Thursday" social media hashtag. In the image, taken Oct. 11, 1969, the 65-foot-tall Hawaiian lava dome resembles a fiery star colliding with Earth.

The lava that formed this dome originated at the Kilauea Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth , according to the Hawaii Center for Volcanology. It has been in an almost constant state of eruption since 1983.

"Symmetrical dome fountains such as this are rare ," said the USGS in the tweet.

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Hundreds of the USGS's 700,000 followers shared the tweet, and others left comments expressing awe.

"I'm going to ask Santa for one ," said one person.

"This is so cool ... couldn't imagine seeing one! " said another respondent. Then, there was the person who simply said, "Woah ."

These lava domes form when thick magma bubbles to the surface and piles up around the vent , according to research from Oregon State University. There isn't enough pressure to cause a violent eruption, so it piles up instead.

Lava domes can grow as tall as 1,600 feet tall, but usually swell to about 30 to 320 feet , the USGS said.