Hawaii - Kilauea volcano: tour photos March 2018

Geologist and VolcanoDiscovery tour guide Dr Ingrid Smet took a small group of travelers on a 7 days exploration of Kilauea shield volcano on the Big Island, Hawaii, from 17 to 23 March 2018. Below you find her photo diary of the VolcanoAdventures tour 'Pele's Fire and Myths' which explores both historic eruption sites of Kilauea as the ongoing volcanic activity at its summit and East Rift Zone as well as local fauna and flora, traditions and mythology.
Check our next group departures if you want to join in on one of our Hawaii volcano adventures and explore these fascinating volcanoes with one of our experienced volcano guides!

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Group photo in the Kazumura caves in front of a double, or tube in tube, lava cave (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Group photo in the Kazumura caves in front of a double, or tube in tube, lava cave (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info]
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After arrival in the afternoon our little group meets up and we go to the Jagger Museum lookout to have a first peak at the active lava lake of Halema'uma'u inside Kilauea's summit caldera (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

After arrival in the afternoon our little group meets up and we go to the Jagger Museum lookout to h... [info]
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As the level of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u is once again high, we can occasionally see lava spattering upwards when large gas bubbles burst through the lake's surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

As the level of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u is once again high, we can occasionally see lava spatt... [info]
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After sunset the red glow above the active lava lake emerges with the increasing darkness (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

After sunset the red glow above the active lava lake emerges with the increasing darkness (Photo: In... [info]
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Although the lava lake itself is invisible to us just below the rim of Halema'uma'u crater, the fiery glow above it tells us that it is very active (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Although the lava lake itself is invisible to us just below the rim of Halema'uma'u crater, the fier... [info]
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Silhouette of an ohia lehua tree against the red glow above Halema'uma'u crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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A good breakfast to start our first full day of exploring Kilauea's historic eruption sites! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

A good breakfast to start our first full day of exploring Kilauea's historic eruption sites! (Photo:... [info]
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Traditional Hawaiian flower garlands, lei, adorn the balustrade of the Kilauea Iki crater lookout (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Traditional Hawaiian flower garlands, lei, adorn the balustrade of the Kilauea Iki crater lookout (P... [info]
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Sunlight falls through the foliage of the fern trees which are present everywhere in the rainforest vegetation around Kileaua Iki crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Sunlight falls through the foliage of the fern trees which are present everywhere in the rainforest ... [info]
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View from the Kilauea Iki's crater rim down to the floor which represents the now cooled surface of a lava lake that formed in the 1959 eruption due to pooling of lava ejected from the vent on the right side of the opposite crater wall (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

View from the Kilauea Iki's crater rim down to the floor which represents the now cooled surface of ... [info]
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The vent from which the magma was ejected in tall lava fountains (up to 580 m into the sky!) quickly build up this large scoria cone that now dominates the Kilauea Iki crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The vent from which the magma was ejected in tall lava fountains (up to 580 m into the sky!) quickly... [info]
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The ohia lehua trees in this part of the Kilauea Iki crater rim were spared from lava bombardements (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The ohia lehua trees in this part of the Kilauea Iki crater rim were spared from lava bombardements ... [info]
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The Kilauea Iki trail first takes you along the crater rim through the dense rain forest of fern trees and ohia lehua... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The Kilauea Iki trail first takes you along the crater rim through the dense rain forest of fern tre... [info]
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...before taking you down where you have this view of the crater floor with the 1959 vent in the scoria cone to the right, opposite from which part of the was covered by lava bombs (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

...before taking you down where you have this view of the crater floor with the 1959 vent in the sco... [info]
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We make our way along the edge of the now cooled lava field towards the impressive 1959 scoria cone (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

We make our way along the edge of the now cooled lava field towards the impressive 1959 scoria cone ... [info]
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The Kilauea Iki 1959 lavas carried a lot of gasses, now frozen as vesicles in the cooled rocks, as well as countless green olivine crystals (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The Kilauea Iki 1959 lavas carried a lot of gasses, now frozen as vesicles in the cooled rocks, as w... [info]
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Ohia lehua is among the first trees to colonise new lava fields, its bright red blossom being a symbol for Hawaii (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Ohia lehua is among the first trees to colonise new lava fields, its bright red blossom being a symb... [info]
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A young ohia lehua tree growing in the 1959 lava flows in the foreground and a forest of older ohia lehua trees that survived the 1959 eruption on the Kilauea Iki crater rim in the background (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

A young ohia lehua tree growing in the 1959 lava flows in the foreground and a forest of older ohia ... [info]
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ON the Kilauea Iki crater floor close to the scoria cone there are large stacks of lava lake surface that were left behind as islands during the multiple times that the lake drained back into the vent in between lava fountaining that filled up the lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

ON the Kilauea Iki crater floor close to the scoria cone there are large stacks of lava lake surface... [info]
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Exploring the now cooled down 1959 Kilauea Iki lava lake around the vent and scoria cone (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Exploring the now cooled down 1959 Kilauea Iki lava lake around the vent and scoria cone (Photo: Ing... [info]
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The final draining of lava back into the vent cracked and pushed up the lava lake's cooled crust as it sank down (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The final draining of lava back into the vent cracked and pushed up the lava lake's cooled crust as ... [info]
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Steam rises up along some of the cracks in the lava lake's surface, precipitating white mineralisations of mostly calcium sulfates and silica (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Steam rises up along some of the cracks in the lava lake's surface, precipitating white mineralisati... [info]
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Some of the 'islands' of stacked lava lake surface are covered in these white mineralisations and scolding hot fumaroles of steam (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Some of the 'islands'of stacked lava lake surface are covered in these white mineralisations and sco... [info]
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Last look back at Kilauea Iki crater and the path that we just walked across it (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The way out of the Kilauea Iki crater is again through a lush rainforest of fern trees (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The way out of the Kilauea Iki crater is again through a lush rainforest of fern trees (Photo: Ingri... [info]
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New leaves of fern trees start out as these rolled up branches covered in incredibly soft woolly tissue that captures moisture and is typical for this plant (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

New leaves of fern trees start out as these rolled up branches covered in incredibly soft woolly tis... [info]
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Pink flowers growing on the lava droplets that rained down from tall lava fountains during the Kilauea Iki eruption (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Pink flowers growing on the lava droplets that rained down from tall lava fountains during the Kilau... [info]
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After the exploring the 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki we hae a short visit to some of the water falls near Hilo (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

After the exploring the 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki we hae a short visit to some of the water falls... [info]
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Rainbow Falls near Hilo (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Hawaii's state flower - the yellow hibiscus (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The park around Rainbow Falls also harbours these majestic trees... (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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...which have a maze of vertical branches that come down and help rooting the treese (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

...which have a maze of vertical branches that come down and help rooting the treese (Photo: Ingrid ... [info]
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We return to Halema'uma'u lava lake before dawn early in the morning of the second day (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

We return to Halema'uma'u lava lake before dawn early in the morning of the second day (Photo: Ingri... [info]
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During the night time the red glow above Halema'uma'u lava lake is very strong (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The red glow of the lava lake, 1 km away, reflects on the faces on early rise observers and photographers (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The red glow of the lava lake, 1 km away, reflects on the faces on early rise observers and photogra... [info]
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As dawn arrives and the sky gets increasingly light, the lava lake's red glow looses its intensity (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

As dawn arrives and the sky gets increasingly light, the lava lake's red glow looses its intensity (... [info]
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Sunrise on the morning of the 10 year anniversary of the return of a lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater is quite impressive! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Sunrise on the morning of the 10 year anniversary of the return of a lava lake in Halema'uma'u crate... [info]
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Our group watching sunrise above Kilauea's summit caldera and the activity in Halema'uma'u crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Our group watching sunrise above Kilauea's summit caldera and the activity in Halema'uma'u crater (P... [info]
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Although not visible from the Jagger Museum lookout, the level of the lava lake is so high that we can occasionally catch spattering at its surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Although not visible from the Jagger Museum lookout, the level of the lava lake is so high that we c... [info]
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When large gas bubbles rise up in Halema'uma'u lava lake and burst through its surface, the lava spattering can be seen from the Jaggar Museum lookout. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

When large gas bubbles rise up in Halema'uma'u lava lake and burst through its surface, the lava spa... [info]
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Nene, the Hawaiian state bird, going for a morning stroll (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The summit of Mauna Loa is often covered with a blanket of clouds (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Once the sun is up there is no more red glow visible above Halema'uma'u vent, only a blueish plume of sulphur dioxide and water vapour suggest the presence of an actively boiling lava lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Once the sun is up there is no more red glow visible above Halema'uma'u vent, only a blueish plume o... [info]
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Kilauea's caldera rim is vegetated with tropical forests of ohia lehua and fern trees (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Kilauea's caldera rim is vegetated with tropical forests of ohia lehua and fern trees (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
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The constant high humidity and temperatures is also reflected by these lichen growing on the shrubs (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The constant high humidity and temperatures is also reflected by these lichen growing on the shrubs ... [info]
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Hawaii is the home of vibrantly coloured birds such as this descendant of the finch family, a cardinal (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Hawaii is the home of vibrantly coloured birds such as this descendant of the finch family, a cardin... [info]
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Many birds use the early hours of the day to feast on the nectar of the lehua blossoms (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Many birds use the early hours of the day to feast on the nectar of the lehua blossoms (Photo: Ingri... [info]
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'Steaming Bluff' is a section alont the northern edge of Kilauea's summit caldera where hot water vapour rises up from cracks (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

'Steaming Bluff'is a section alont the northern edge of Kilauea's summit caldera where hot water vap... [info]
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Specially adapted plants grow abundantly in these steam vent pockets of hotter and more humid conditions (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Specially adapted plants grow abundantly in these steam vent pockets of hotter and more humid condit... [info]
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At one location there are also sulphurous gasses rising up from magma at depth, resulting in the deposits of sulphur at the surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

At one location there are also sulphurous gasses rising up from magma at depth, resulting in the dep... [info]
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The precipitated sulphur crystals will have a needle like appearance as long as their ambient temperature is higher than 90 degrees C (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The precipitated sulphur crystals will have a needle like appearance as long as their ambient temper... [info]
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Sulphur Banks is a small hide dotted with bright yellow sulphur deposits forming from the volcanic gasses that rise up through surface (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Sulphur Banks is a small hide dotted with bright yellow sulphur deposits forming from the volcanic g... [info]
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Sulphur crystals precipitate around an actively degassing fumarole (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The droplets found at the sulphur deposits and fumarolic vents are (weak) sulphuric acid from which sulphur crystals can precipitate (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The droplets found at the sulphur deposits and fumarolic vents are (weak) sulphuric acid from which ... [info]
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Photographing the colourful crystals at Sulphur Banks (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The ocean front at Hilo, the largest town on the Big Island, during a grey and stormy evening (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The ocean front at Hilo, the largest town on the Big Island, during a grey and stormy evening (Photo... [info]
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The town of Hilo has mostly 1 to 2 storey buildings that were constructed in the early 20th century (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The town of Hilo has mostly 1 to 2 storey buildings that were constructed in the early 20th century ... [info]
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Colourful grafiti adorns many walls in the centre of Hilo town (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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On the third day we explore a part of the largest lava cave system in the worl at Kazumura caves (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

On the third day we explore a part of the largest lava cave system in the worl at Kazumura caves (Ph... [info]
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The ceiling of the lava tubes is covered with frozen dripping lavasicles, left behind when the lava drained from the tunnel (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The ceiling of the lava tubes is covered with frozen dripping lavasicles, left behind when the lava ... [info]
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In order to explore the different levels of the complex lava cave we need to climb up and down these ladders (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

In order to explore the different levels of the complex lava cave we need to climb up and down these... [info]
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Photographing the lavasicles hanging down from the tunnel's ceiling (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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In some parts of the lava tube the dynamics of slowly dripping lava created these delicate lava droplets (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

In some parts of the lava tube the dynamics of slowly dripping lava created these delicate lava drop... [info]
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Harry giving us a preview of the lava cave dwelling creatures that we might encounter during our exploration (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Harry giving us a preview of the lava cave dwelling creatures that we might encounter during our exp... [info]
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Close up of some very intricate and delicate structures formed by lava and percolating water (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Close up of some very intricate and delicate structures formed by lava and percolating water (Photo:... [info]
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Exploring the Kazumura lava caves (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The walls in some parts of the lava cave show this interesting texture that was formed during different phases of lava flowing through the tunnel at a range of speeds and levels (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The walls in some parts of the lava cave show this interesting texture that was formed during differ... [info]
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Studying the textures of the lava tube ceiling and its mineralisations (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Kazumura lava cave kitty is glad to see we made it back in one piece! (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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One of many craters along Crater Rim Drive, each formed during a particular eruption along the East Rift Zone (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

One of many craters along Crater Rim Drive, each formed during a particular eruption along the East ... [info]
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Standing at the very site where in 1969 the fissure of the Mauna Ulu eruption ripped through the earth's surface and created high lava fountains! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Standing at the very site where in 1969 the fissure of the Mauna Ulu eruption ripped through the ear... [info]
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The ca 50 year old lava fields of the Mauna Ulu eruption have since been recolonised by the typical lava begetation: ohia lehua trees and ferns (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The ca 50 year old lava fields of the Mauna Ulu eruption have since been recolonised by the typical ... [info]
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Imprints of their trunks is all that is left of the ohia lehu trees that were growing here prior to the Mauna Ulu eruption but got flooded by the lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Imprints of their trunks is all that is left of the ohia lehu trees that were growing here prior to ... [info]
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Orchids near the Mauna Ulu lava fields (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The small shield created during the Mauna Ulu eruption around the main vent is visible on the horizon in the background, slightly to the left in the foreground is the perched lava lake that formed in the later stages of this eruption (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The small shield created during the Mauna Ulu eruption around the main vent is visible on the horizo... [info]
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The 5 years long Mauna Ulu eruption created vast new lava fields, parts of which are hollow tunnels left behind when the eruption stopped and the lava drained away (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The 5 years long Mauna Ulu eruption created vast new lava fields, parts of which are hollow tunnels ... [info]
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View from the lava fields near the coast towards the pali from which the darker coloured Mauna Ulu lava flows ran down in the early 1970s (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

View from the lava fields near the coast towards the pali from which the darker coloured Mauna Ulu l... [info]
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Exploring the lava fields formed during different eruptions from the East Rift Zone (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Exploring the lava fields formed during different eruptions from the East Rift Zone (Photo: Ingrid S... [info]
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Yellow flowers in the coastal lava fields (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Native Hawaiians used the surface of the coastal lava flows for their rock art (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Petroglyphs carved into the lava flows by native Hawaiians (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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When lava flows travel towards the ocean and come down the pali they do so taking the lower grounds, sometimes leaving behind 'kipukas' patches of older forests that are slight elevated (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

When lava flows travel towards the ocean and come down the pali they do so taking the lower grounds,... [info]
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By the time we reach the end of the Chain of Craters road the sun has set and the active lava flows currently coming down the pali become visible as red glowing dots in the far distance (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

By the time we reach the end of the Chain of Craters road the sun has set and the active lava flows ... [info]
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On day 4 we leave early from Hilo and drive down to the southernmost point of the Big Island (and thereby the United States) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

On day 4 we leave early from Hilo and drive down to the southernmost point of the Big Island (and th... [info]
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We hike along the coastline of this clearly much drier part of the Big Island towards Green Sand Beach (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

We hike along the coastline of this clearly much drier part of the Big Island towards Green Sand Bea... [info]
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Light blue flowers at the southern coastline (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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In the distance we can already see the cinder cone that formed during a rift eruption of Mauna Loa 10000s of years ago and from which the green sands are derived (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

In the distance we can already see the cinder cone that formed during a rift eruption of Mauna Loa 1... [info]
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Our group in front of the green sands beach scoria cone and bay (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The layers of the scoria cone are build up of black lava droplets with green olivine crystals, the latter being heavier than the former and hence getting left behind and accumulated during wind and water action (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The layers of the scoria cone are build up of black lava droplets with green olivine crystals, the l... [info]
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Green sand beach at the southern coast of the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Despite it being a small bay inside a cinder cone the waves at Green Sands beach can still be very strong (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Despite it being a small bay inside a cinder cone the waves at Green Sands beach can still be very s... [info]
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Close-up of the green sand at Green Sand Beach, made up mostly of green olivine crystals besides some black lava grains and white shell pieces (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Close-up of the green sand at Green Sand Beach, made up mostly of green olivine crystals besides som... [info]
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Black Sand Beach is located to the northeast of Green Sand Beach and is entirely constructed of grains of black lava (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Black Sand Beach is located to the northeast of Green Sand Beach and is entirely constructed of grai... [info]
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Unfortunately, the famous green sea turtles that are usually sunbathing at Black Sand Beach were nowhere to be found (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Unfortunately, the famous green sea turtles that are usually sunbathing at Black Sand Beach were now... [info]
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Well before sunrise on the 5th day we started our hike towards the active lava flows that were running down the pali from the ongoing eruption of Pu'u O'o vent in the East rift zone (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Well before sunrise on the 5th day we started our hike towards the active lava flows that were runni... [info]
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Dawn arrives as we get closer to the pali and the red hot glowing lavas that run down from it (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Dawn arrives as we get closer to the pali and the red hot glowing lavas that run down from it (Photo... [info]
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Group foto upon arriving at a great location at the bottom of the pali where we will be observing numerous active lava flows for the following 3,5 hours! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Group foto upon arriving at a great location at the bottom of the pali where we will be observing nu... [info]
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Sunrise announces another adventurous day on the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Standing so close to active lava flows is quite a unique experience (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Fresh lava oozes out from underneath the just cooled crust of an active flow front (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Fresh lava oozes out from underneath the just cooled crust of an active flow front (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info]
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Red hot pahoehoe lava oozing out from underneath a recently cooled crust (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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View from the active lava flows we observed at the bottom of the hill towards the pali where more lava is coming down (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

View from the active lava flows we observed at the bottom of the hill towards the pali where more la... [info]
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The active pahoehoe lava flow fronts that we found are advancing right next to an older aa lava flow (blocky dark lava to the right and in the foreground) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The active pahoehoe lava flow fronts that we found are advancing right next to an older aa lava flow... [info]
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As the crust of a lava flow cools whilst its interior is till moving forward, it gets crumpled and spun into intricate textures (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

As the crust of a lava flow cools whilst its interior is till moving forward, it gets crumpled and s... [info]
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Pahoehoe lava flow channel with quickly forming ropey crust (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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At the front of the pahoehoe lava flow the fresh thin silvery crust gets folded into ropes (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

At the front of the pahoehoe lava flow the fresh thin silvery crust gets folded into ropes (Photo: I... [info]
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Observing and photographing the flow front of active pahoehoe lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Close up of an intricately folded ropey lava crust and its still glowing hot interior (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Close up of an intricately folded ropey lava crust and its still glowing hot interior (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
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Zoom into the red hot and still liquid interior of an active pahoehoe lava flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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New lava breakouts occur all the time along different parts of the active pahoehoe lava flow fronts (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

New lava breakouts occur all the time along different parts of the active pahoehoe lava flow fronts ... [info]
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A larger outbreak pours pahoehoe lava onto the older lava fields, its thin crust quickly wrinkling together in the typical ropey texture (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

A larger outbreak pours pahoehoe lava onto the older lava fields, its thin crust quickly wrinkling t... [info]
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The active pahoehoe lava flows in front of the older blocky (dark brown) aa lava flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The active pahoehoe lava flows in front of the older blocky (dark brown) aa lava flow (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
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When there is a steeper gradient, new break outs creat fast flowing rivers of molten pahoehoe lava (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

When there is a steeper gradient, new break outs creat fast flowing rivers of molten pahoehoe lava (... [info]
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During the 3,5 hours that we observe and photograph this lava flow front it slowly but surely advanced a few 10s of metres towards the ocean (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

During the 3,5 hours that we observe and photograph this lava flow front it slowly but surely advanc... [info]
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Lava break outs of active pahoehoe lava flows from the 61g flow of the since 1983 ongoing Pu'u O'o eruption (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Lava break outs of active pahoehoe lava flows from the 61g flow of the since 1983 ongoing Pu'u O'o e... [info]
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The 3 hour long hike across difficult terrain in continuing rain was worth it to get so up close to active pahoehoe lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

The 3 hour long hike across difficult terrain in continuing rain was worth it to get so up close to ... [info]
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Close up of an active lava outbreak (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Watching the lava flow front change and advance is really mesmerising (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Philip Ong, our experienced active lava flows guide, trying to dry up a little close to the active lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Philip Ong, our experienced active lava flows guide, trying to dry up a little close to the active l... [info]
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Active pahoehoe lava front flowing down older lava flows and forming the typical ropey crust (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Active pahoehoe lava front flowing down older lava flows and forming the typical ropey crust (Photo:... [info]
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We eventually have to drag ourselves away from the active lava flow fronts and start our 3 hour hike back to the end of the Chain of Craters road (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

We eventually have to drag ourselves away from the active lava flow fronts and start our 3 hour hike... [info]
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We now understand much better the formation of intricate textures in the surface of older lava flows such as these (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

We now understand much better the formation of intricate textures in the surface of older lava flows... [info]
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Hiking back across the older lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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The first plants to appear inside cooling cracks of new lava flows are ferns (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Looking back to the location where we had observed active lava flows for 3,5 hours - in the daylight we can no longer see the red hot glow of the lava (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Looking back to the location where we had observed active lava flows for 3,5 hours - in the daylight... [info]
(176 Hits)

Young ferns growing in between the ropes of a young lava flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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New vegetation in the lava fields: young ferns grow inside the cooling cracks of the lavas (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

New vegetation in the lava fields: young ferns grow inside the cooling cracks of the lavas (Photo: I... [info]
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Check our next group departures if you want to join in on one of our Hawaii volcano adventures and explore these fascinating volcanoes with one of our experienced volcano guides! \|\| Gallery Index Group photo in the Kazumura caves in front of a double, or tube in tube, lava cave (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info] (494 Hits) After arrival in the afternoon our little group meets up and we go to the Jagger Museum lookout to h... [info] (408 Hits) As the level of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u is once again high, we can occasionally see lava spatt... [info] (397 Hits) After sunset the red glow above the active lava lake emerges with the increasing darkness (Photo: In... [info] (434 Hits) Although the lava lake itself is invisible to us just below the rim of Halema'uma'u crater, the fier... [info] (423 Hits) Silhouette of an ohia lehua tree against the red glow above Halema'uma'u crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (409 Hits) A good breakfast to start our first full day of exploring Kilauea's historic eruption sites! (Photo:... [info] (413 Hits) Traditional Hawaiian flower garlands, lei, adorn the balustrade of the Kilauea Iki crater lookout (P... [info] (395 Hits) Sunlight falls through the foliage of the fern trees which are present everywhere in the rainforest ... [info] (355 Hits) View from the Kilauea Iki's crater rim down to the floor which represents the now cooled surface of ... [info] (420 Hits) The vent from which the magma was ejected in tall lava fountains (up to 580 m into the sky!) quickly... [info] (371 Hits) The ohia lehua trees in this part of the Kilauea Iki crater rim were spared from lava bombardements ... [info] (333 Hits) The Kilauea Iki trail first takes you along the crater rim through the dense rain forest of fern tre... [info] (333 Hits) ...before taking you down where you have this view of the crater floor with the 1959 vent in the sco... [info] (303 Hits) We make our way along the edge of the now cooled lava field towards the impressive 1959 scoria cone ... [info] (349 Hits) The Kilauea Iki 1959 lavas carried a lot of gasses, now frozen as vesicles in the cooled rocks, as w... [info] (327 Hits) Ohia lehua is among the first trees to colonise new lava fields, its bright red blossom being a symb... [info] (357 Hits) A young ohia lehua tree growing in the 1959 lava flows in the foreground and a forest of older ohia ... [info] (370 Hits) ON the Kilauea Iki crater floor close to the scoria cone there are large stacks of lava lake surface... [info] (300 Hits) Exploring the now cooled down 1959 Kilauea Iki lava lake around the vent and scoria cone (Photo: Ing... [info] (323 Hits) The final draining of lava back into the vent cracked and pushed up the lava lake's cooled crust as ... [info] (301 Hits) Steam rises up along some of the cracks in the lava lake's surface, precipitating white mineralisati... [info] (290 Hits) Some of the 'islands'of stacked lava lake surface are covered in these white mineralisations and sco... [info] (283 Hits) Last look back at Kilauea Iki crater and the path that we just walked across it (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (287 Hits) The way out of the Kilauea Iki crater is again through a lush rainforest of fern trees (Photo: Ingri... [info] (252 Hits) New leaves of fern trees start out as these rolled up branches covered in incredibly soft woolly tis... [info] (279 Hits) Pink flowers growing on the lava droplets that rained down from tall lava fountains during the Kilau... [info] (290 Hits) After the exploring the 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki we hae a short visit to some of the water falls... [info] (291 Hits) Rainbow Falls near Hilo (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (279 Hits) Hawaii's state flower - the yellow hibiscus (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (280 Hits) The park around Rainbow Falls also harbours these majestic trees... (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (260 Hits) ...which have a maze of vertical branches that come down and help rooting the treese (Photo: Ingrid ... [info] (253 Hits) We return to Halema'uma'u lava lake before dawn early in the morning of the second day (Photo: Ingri... [info] (253 Hits) During the night time the red glow above Halema'uma'u lava lake is very strong (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (254 Hits) The red glow of the lava lake, 1 km away, reflects on the faces on early rise observers and photogra... [info] (230 Hits) As dawn arrives and the sky gets increasingly light, the lava lake's red glow looses its intensity (... [info] (242 Hits) Sunrise on the morning of the 10 year anniversary of the return of a lava lake in Halema'uma'u crate... [info] (245 Hits) Our group watching sunrise above Kilauea's summit caldera and the activity in Halema'uma'u crater (P... [info] (292 Hits) Although not visible from the Jagger Museum lookout, the level of the lava lake is so high that we c... [info] (275 Hits) When large gas bubbles rise up in Halema'uma'u lava lake and burst through its surface, the lava spa... [info] (226 Hits) Nene, the Hawaiian state bird, going for a morning stroll (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (234 Hits) The summit of Mauna Loa is often covered with a blanket of clouds (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (203 Hits) Once the sun is up there is no more red glow visible above Halema'uma'u vent, only a blueish plume o... [info] (220 Hits) Kilauea's caldera rim is vegetated with tropical forests of ohia lehua and fern trees (Photo: Ingrid... [info] (219 Hits) The constant high humidity and temperatures is also reflected by these lichen growing on the shrubs ... [info] (178 Hits) Hawaii is the home of vibrantly coloured birds such as this descendant of the finch family, a cardin... [info] (198 Hits) Many birds use the early hours of the day to feast on the nectar of the lehua blossoms (Photo: Ingri... [info] (202 Hits) 'Steaming Bluff'is a section alont the northern edge of Kilauea's summit caldera where hot water vap... [info] (219 Hits) Specially adapted plants grow abundantly in these steam vent pockets of hotter and more humid condit... [info] (196 Hits) At one location there are also sulphurous gasses rising up from magma at depth, resulting in the dep... [info] (179 Hits) The precipitated sulphur crystals will have a needle like appearance as long as their ambient temper... [info] (214 Hits) Sulphur Banks is a small hide dotted with bright yellow sulphur deposits forming from the volcanic g... [info] (176 Hits) Sulphur crystals precipitate around an actively degassing fumarole (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (189 Hits) The droplets found at the sulphur deposits and fumarolic vents are (weak) sulphuric acid from which ... [info] (183 Hits) Photographing the colourful crystals at Sulphur Banks (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (308 Hits) The ocean front at Hilo, the largest town on the Big Island, during a grey and stormy evening (Photo... [info] (181 Hits) The town of Hilo has mostly 1 to 2 storey buildings that were constructed in the early 20th century ... [info] (199 Hits) Colourful grafiti adorns many walls in the centre of Hilo town (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (200 Hits) On the third day we explore a part of the largest lava cave system in the worl at Kazumura caves (Ph... [info] (213 Hits) The ceiling of the lava tubes is covered with frozen dripping lavasicles, left behind when the lava ... [info] (180 Hits) In order to explore the different levels of the complex lava cave we need to climb up and down these... [info] (174 Hits) Photographing the lavasicles hanging down from the tunnel's ceiling (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (183 Hits) In some parts of the lava tube the dynamics of slowly dripping lava created these delicate lava drop... [info] (174 Hits) Harry giving us a preview of the lava cave dwelling creatures that we might encounter during our exp... [info] (181 Hits) Close up of some very intricate and delicate structures formed by lava and percolating water (Photo:... [info] (196 Hits) Exploring the Kazumura lava caves (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (213 Hits) The walls in some parts of the lava cave show this interesting texture that was formed during differ... [info] (188 Hits) Studying the textures of the lava tube ceiling and its mineralisations (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (192 Hits) Kazumura lava cave kitty is glad to see we made it back in one piece! (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (213 Hits) One of many craters along Crater Rim Drive, each formed during a particular eruption along the East ... [info] (183 Hits) Standing at the very site where in 1969 the fissure of the Mauna Ulu eruption ripped through the ear... [info] (197 Hits) The ca 50 year old lava fields of the Mauna Ulu eruption have since been recolonised by the typical ... [info] (179 Hits) Imprints of their trunks is all that is left of the ohia lehu trees that were growing here prior to ... [info] (193 Hits) Orchids near the Mauna Ulu lava fields (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (192 Hits) The small shield created during the Mauna Ulu eruption around the main vent is visible on the horizo... [info] (173 Hits) The 5 years long Mauna Ulu eruption created vast new lava fields, parts of which are hollow tunnels ... [info] (191 Hits) View from the lava fields near the coast towards the pali from which the darker coloured Mauna Ulu l... [info] (161 Hits) Exploring the lava fields formed during different eruptions from the East Rift Zone (Photo: Ingrid S... [info] (173 Hits) Yellow flowers in the coastal lava fields (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (148 Hits) Native Hawaiians used the surface of the coastal lava flows for their rock art (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (166 Hits) Petroglyphs carved into the lava flows by native Hawaiians (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (174 Hits) When lava flows travel towards the ocean and come down the pali they do so taking the lower grounds,... [info] (153 Hits) By the time we reach the end of the Chain of Craters road the sun has set and the active lava flows ... [info] (172 Hits) On day 4 we leave early from Hilo and drive down to the southernmost point of the Big Island (and th... [info] (140 Hits) We hike along the coastline of this clearly much drier part of the Big Island towards Green Sand Bea... [info] (176 Hits) Light blue flowers at the southern coastline (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (156 Hits) In the distance we can already see the cinder cone that formed during a rift eruption of Mauna Loa 1... [info] (175 Hits) Our group in front of the green sands beach scoria cone and bay (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (154 Hits) The layers of the scoria cone are build up of black lava droplets with green olivine crystals, the l... [info] (550 Hits) Green sand beach at the southern coast of the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (179 Hits) Despite it being a small bay inside a cinder cone the waves at Green Sands beach can still be very s... [info] (166 Hits) Close-up of the green sand at Green Sand Beach, made up mostly of green olivine crystals besides som... [info] (166 Hits) Black Sand Beach is located to the northeast of Green Sand Beach and is entirely constructed of grai... [info] (174 Hits) Unfortunately, the famous green sea turtles that are usually sunbathing at Black Sand Beach were now... [info] (178 Hits) Well before sunrise on the 5th day we started our hike towards the active lava flows that were runni... [info] (175 Hits) Dawn arrives as we get closer to the pali and the red hot glowing lavas that run down from it (Photo... [info] (208 Hits) Group foto upon arriving at a great location at the bottom of the pali where we will be observing nu... [info] (230 Hits) Sunrise announces another adventurous day on the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (207 Hits) Standing so close to active lava flows is quite a unique experience (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (309 Hits) Fresh lava oozes out from underneath the just cooled crust of an active flow front (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info] (258 Hits) Red hot pahoehoe lava oozing out from underneath a recently cooled crust (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (299 Hits) View from the active lava flows we observed at the bottom of the hill towards the pali where more la... [info] (234 Hits) The active pahoehoe lava flow fronts that we found are advancing right next to an older aa lava flow... [info] (297 Hits) As the crust of a lava flow cools whilst its interior is till moving forward, it gets crumpled and s... [info] (260 Hits) Pahoehoe lava flow channel with quickly forming ropey crust (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (235 Hits) At the front of the pahoehoe lava flow the fresh thin silvery crust gets folded into ropes (Photo: I... [info] (236 Hits) Observing and photographing the flow front of active pahoehoe lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (246 Hits) Close up of an intricately folded ropey lava crust and its still glowing hot interior (Photo: Ingrid... [info] (256 Hits) Zoom into the red hot and still liquid interior of an active pahoehoe lava flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (267 Hits) New lava breakouts occur all the time along different parts of the active pahoehoe lava flow fronts ... [info] (217 Hits) A larger outbreak pours pahoehoe lava onto the older lava fields, its thin crust quickly wrinkling t... [info] (270 Hits) The active pahoehoe lava flows in front of the older blocky (dark brown) aa lava flow (Photo: Ingrid... [info] (336 Hits) When there is a steeper gradient, new break outs creat fast flowing rivers of molten pahoehoe lava (... [info] (231 Hits) During the 3,5 hours that we observe and photograph this lava flow front it slowly but surely advanc... [info] (202 Hits) Lava break outs of active pahoehoe lava flows from the 61g flow of the since 1983 ongoing Pu'u O'o e... [info] (232 Hits) The 3 hour long hike across difficult terrain in continuing rain was worth it to get so up close to ... [info] (194 Hits) Close up of an active lava outbreak (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (212 Hits) Watching the lava flow front change and advance is really mesmerising (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (189 Hits) Philip Ong, our experienced active lava flows guide, trying to dry up a little close to the active l... [info] (368 Hits) Active pahoehoe lava front flowing down older lava flows and forming the typical ropey crust (Photo:... [info] (223 Hits) We eventually have to drag ourselves away from the active lava flow fronts and start our 3 hour hike... [info] (225 Hits) We now understand much better the formation of intricate textures in the surface of older lava flows... [info] (209 Hits) Hiking back across the older lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (207 Hits) The first plants to appear inside cooling cracks of new lava flows are ferns (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (207 Hits) Looking back to the location where we had observed active lava flows for 3,5 hours - in the daylight... [info] (176 Hits) Young ferns growing in between the ropes of a young lava flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info] (214 Hits) New vegetation in the lava fields: young ferns grow inside the cooling cracks of the lavas (Photo: I... [info] (203 Hits) \|\| Gallery Index

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Hawaii - Kilauea volcano: tour photos March 2018