Erupting volcano smiles for camera crews

An erupting volcano in Hawaii proved surprisingly photogenic when a camera crew hovered above its smouldering lava.

A videographer on a helicopter tour above Kilauea volcano captured the lava forming a smiley face in its crater last week.

The video has since been shared online thousands of times by people admiring mother nature's happy coincidence.

Lava from the volcano began spilling into the Pacific Ocean on July 26, after travelling over 10kms across land.

Hikers are able to get close to the flowing lava, but are advised to bring plenty of water and prepare for the heat.

The Hawaiian volcano has been continuously erupting since 1983, making it one of the most active volcanos in the world.