Kilauea Volcano Special, Hawai'i: tour photos April 2017

This photo diary is a compilation of images from different participants on our 12 - 18 April 2017 Kilauea Volcano Special guided by geologist Ingrid Smet. It also includes photographic documentation of the unofficial ´pilot´ extension that the small group undertook afterwards to explore the other sites, nature, wildlife, scenery and gastronomy of the Big Island.

During their stay on Hawaii the Kamukona lava ocean entry that started in July 2016 was still ongoing so that they had the chance to observe this volcanic acitivity from land, on the sea and in the air. They also watched on a different occasions the lava lake inside Halema´uma´u crater inside Kilauea´s summit caldera, which was at such a high level that the lava spattering could be seen from ca 2 km distance. Unfortunately there were no on-land lava break outs that they could get to as was the case for the March 2017 Kilauea Volcano Specials.

|| Gallery Index

Day 1: Midday arrival in Hilo, the largest town on the Big Island! (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 1: Midday arrival in Hilo, the largest town on the Big Island! (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / La... [info]
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Day 1: Lunch in one of Hilo´s tasty restaurants (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 1: First visit to the Jaggar Museum lookout and view of Kilauea´s summit caldera with Halema´uma´a crater and its active lava lake (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 1: First visit to the Jaggar Museum lookout and view of Kilauea´s summit caldera with Halema´uma... [info]
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Day 1: As the level of the lava lake had risen by mid April 2017 some red hot glowing lava could be seen at the edge of the lake from ca 2 km distance (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 1: As the level of the lava lake had risen by mid April 2017 some red hot glowing lava could be ... [info]
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Day1: Large gas bubbles explode through the surface of the lava lake, splashing lava against the crater wall and creating red hot lava droplets (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day1: Large gas bubbles explode through the surface of the lava lake, splashing lava against the cra... [info]
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Day1: Large gas bubbles explode through the surface of the lava lake, splashing lava against the cra... [info]
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Day 2: Hawaiian geese (nēnē) endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and the official bird of the state of Hawaiʻi. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Hawaiian geese (nēnē) endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and the official bird of the state of H... [info]
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Day 2: A´a lava flows of the Mauna Ulu eruption of which the lava shield is visible in the far right (left is an older cinder cone) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: A´a lava flows of the Mauna Ulu eruption of which the lava shield is visible in the far right... [info]
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Day 2: Group picture on the Mauna Ulu lava flows (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe) [info]
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Day 2: Ohia lehua is a pioneer species on new lava and is hence the dominant tree in most mature Hawaiian forests. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Ohia lehua is a pioneer species on new lava and is hence the dominant tree in most mature Haw... [info]
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Day 2: ´lava trees´ are formed when lava flows through a forest and siwrls around the base of tree trunks where it forms a thick crust that does stays behind when the main flow has passed and the lava level drops again (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: ´lava trees´ are formed when lava flows through a forest and siwrls around the base of tree t... [info]
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Day 2: Moisture in the wood of the tree trunk and gas bubbles in the lava are excellent insulation against complete incineration so that a perfect mold of the tree trunk is formed (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Moisture in the wood of the tree trunk and gas bubbles in the lava are excellent insulation a... [info]
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Day 2: Walking across lava fields along the Mauna Ulu trail (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 2: Pahoehoe lava flows quickly form a thick crust which then forms a roof of the hollow lava tube that remains after the lava drained away (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Pahoehoe lava flows quickly form a thick crust which then forms a roof of the hollow lava tub... [info]
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Day 2: View across the 1969 - 1974 Mauna Ulu lava flows with (foreground) with in the background the lava shield of Pu´u O´o (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: View across the 1969 - 1974 Mauna Ulu lava flows with (foreground) with in the background the... [info]
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Day 2: Close up of the distant lava field of Pu´u O´o and the steam that rises up from around the still hot lava flows around it (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 2: Close up of the distant lava field of Pu´u O´o and the steam that rises up from around the st... [info]
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Day 2: Some new settlements atop the Pu´u O´o lava flows that covered a vast area since the start of the eruption in 1983. In the background, volcanic gasses are rising up above the largely underground path of the current lava flows to the ocean. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Some new settlements atop the Pu´u O´o lava flows that covered a vast area since the start of... [info]
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Day 2: A tumulus is formed when cold lava crust is inflated by new lava flowing below it, pushing the ropey textured surface upwards. (background: volcanic gasses rising up above the largely underground pathway of active lava flows) (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 2: A tumulus is formed when cold lava crust is inflated by new lava flowing below it, pushing th... [info]
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Day 2: Blobs of younger lava came up between the cracks of older pahoehoe lava as it pushed up the crust and broke through (background: volcanic gasses rising up above the largely underground pathway of active lava flows) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Blobs of younger lava came up between the cracks of older pahoehoe lava as it pushed up the c... [info]
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Day 2: About 1,5 - 2 hour hike towards the Kamokuna lava ocean entry (one can also rent a bike to get there faster) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: About 1,5 - 2 hour hike towards the Kamokuna lava ocean entry (one can also rent a bike to ge... [info]
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Day 2: The new road formed towards the Kamokuna lava ocean entry of which the billowing steam plume can be seen in the background (the old asphalted road has been destroyed and burried by previous lava flows) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: The new road formed towards the Kamokuna lava ocean entry of which the billowing steam plume ... [info]
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Day 2: The National Park authorities marked off a safe perimeter from where to watch where the lava flows into the ocean, creating a billowing steam plume (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 2: The National Park authorities marked off a safe perimeter from where to watch where the lava ... [info]
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Day 2: As it gets dark, bright yellow-orange-red light flickers through the thick steam plumes (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: As it gets dark, bright yellow-orange-red light flickers through the thick steam plumes (Phot... [info]
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Day 2: Fire and steam are battling one another, quickly changing positions in a what seems a high paced dance (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Fire and steam are battling one another, quickly changing positions in a what seems a high pa... [info]
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Day 2: Sometimes the wind blows the steam away and for a split second we get a view of the red hot lava flowing into the sea. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: Sometimes the wind blows the steam away and for a split second we get a view of the red hot l... [info]
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Day 2: The interaction between over a 1000 degrees C hot lava and ocean water is an explosive one, at times we can see small fragments of lava being thrown around and through the steam clouds. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 2: The interaction between over a 1000 degrees C hot lava and ocean water is an explosive one, a... [info]
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The lava lake at Halema´uma´u crater at dawn (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3: As the morning light grows stronger, the boiling lava lakes´s red glow reflected on the inner walls of Halema´uma´u crater becomes less visible (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: As the morning light grows stronger, the boiling lava lakes´s red glow reflected on the inner... [info]
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Day 3: Sunrise over Kilauea´s large summit caldera and the different fumarolic fields it contains (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 3: Sunrise over Kilauea´s large summit caldera and the different fumarolic fields it contains (P... [info]
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Day 3: Observing the sunrise and Halema´uma´a lava lake from the Jaggar Museum viewpoint (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 3: Observing the sunrise and Halema´uma´a lava lake from the Jaggar Museum viewpoint (Photo: Ste... [info]
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day 3: Once the sun is up, the red glow and bright light of the lava lake is no longer visible. Only the fumaroles around Halema´uma´u crater suggest its activity (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

day 3: Once the sun is up, the red glow and bright light of the lava lake is no longer visible. Only... [info]
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Day 3: Looking across Kilauea´s summit caldera from the Jaggar Museum viewpoint (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 3: Looking across Kilauea´s summit caldera from the Jaggar Museum viewpoint (Photo: Steven Van d... [info]
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day 3: View towards Mauna Loa shield volcano, the largest volcano on earth (4169 m above sealevel and submarine ca. 5000 m to the ocean floor) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

day 3: View towards Mauna Loa shield volcano, the largest volcano on earth (4169 m above sealevel an... [info]
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Day 3: Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on earth; 4169 m height above sealevel and submarine ca. 5000 m down to the ocean floor (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on earth; 4169 m height above sealevel and submarine ca. 500... [info]
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Day 3: The moon standing high above Mauna Loa (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe) [info]
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Day 3: After a copious breakfast at the Volcano House we walk the trail on the rim of Kilauea caldera (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: After a copious breakfast at the Volcano House we walk the trail on the rim of Kilauea calder... [info]
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Day 3: (sword)Ferns are a common species of the tropical vegetation along forest trails (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: (sword)Ferns are a common species of the tropical vegetation along forest trails (Photo: Ingr... [info]
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Day 3: Tree fern unfolding a new leaf (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3: View across Kilauea caldera from ´near the Volcano House, with Halema´uma´u crater in the centre and the silhouette of Mauno Loa to the right (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: View across Kilauea caldera from ´near the Volcano House, with Halema´uma´u crater in the cen... [info]
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Day 3: Closer view of the inner wall of Kilauea caldera. with Mauna Loa´s silhouette in the background and steam emanating from active vents along Steaming Bluff (right) (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 3: Closer view of the inner wall of Kilauea caldera. with Mauna Loa´s silhouette in the backgrou... [info]
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Day 3: Steam rising up from vents along the northern rim of Kilauea caldera (Haleam´uma´u crater in the central background) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Steam rising up from vents along the northern rim of Kilauea caldera (Haleam´uma´u crater in ... [info]
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Day 3: Exploring the steam vents along the northern rim of Kilauea caldera (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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$Day 3: Different colours restul from steam and other volcanic gasses rising up along fractures. Despite the heat, these steam vents are vegetated by particular plants that love the moist and warmth (Photo: Ingrid Smet)$

Day 3: Different colours restul from steam and other volcanic gasses rising up along fractures. Desp... [info]
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Day 3: Measuring the temperature the steam coming out of one of the vents - maximum reading was around 80 degrees C! (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 3: Measuring the temperature the steam coming out of one of the vents - maximum reading was arou... [info]
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Day 3: Bamboo orchid is one of the many non-native tropical plants that were introduced on Hawaii where they thrive (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Bamboo orchid is one of the many non-native tropical plants that were introduced on Hawaii wh... [info]
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$Day 3: Sulphur Banks is an area N-NE of Kilauea´s caldera rim where volcanic gasses interacting with groundwater and rising up through deep-seated fractures deposited sulphur crystals among other minerals (Photo: Ingrid Smet)$

Day 3: Sulphur Banks is an area N-NE of Kilauea´s caldera rim where volcanic gasses interacting with... [info]
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Sulphurous gasses escaping from fumarole vents deposit intricate sulphur crystals which have a needle shape as long as the temperature is above 90 degrees C. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Sulphurous gasses escaping from fumarole vents deposit intricate sulphur crystals which have a needl... [info]
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Day 3: Closer to the (hot) vents the sulphur crystals are more intense yellow and have a needles shape, whereas further away from the vent were temperatures are below 90 degrees the sulphur crystals have a more cubic (isometric) shape (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Closer to the (hot) vents the sulphur crystals are more intense yellow and have a needles sha... [info]
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Day 3: Drops of sulphuric acid are often seen dangling from above the fumarole vent, they are the intrermediary step between hydrogen sulfide gas and solid sulfur (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Drops of sulphuric acid are often seen dangling from above the fumarole vent, they are the in... [info]
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Day 3: Exploring the mineral deposits at Sulphur Banks (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe... [info]
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Day 3: Driving along the Chain of Craters Road from Kilauea´s summit area through the western edge of the East Rift Zone down to the coast (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Driving along the Chain of Craters Road from Kilauea´s summit area through the western edge o... [info]
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Day 3: View of the Mauna Ulu lava shield that was built during the 1969 - 1974 eruption (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: View of the Mauna Ulu lava shield that was built during the 1969 - 1974 eruption (Photo: Ingr... [info]
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Day 3: The road comes down the Holei Pali (pali is a Hawaiian word for cliff, referring to steeper slopes along the shield volcanoes flanks) along which dark coloured ribbons represent recent lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: The road comes down the Holei Pali (pali is a Hawaiian word for cliff, referring to steeper s... [info]
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Day 3: Dark ribbons represent numerous lava flows that in recent times ran down the pali as fiery rivers (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Dark ribbons represent numerous lava flows that in recent times ran down the pali as fiery ri... [info]
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Day 3: View from the extensive lava fields south of the East Rift zone towards the coastline (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: View from the extensive lava fields south of the East Rift zone towards the coastline (Photo:... [info]
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Day 3: Exploring the board walk built around the Pu´u Loa petroglyphs (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 3: The surface of older pahoehoe lava flows has been covered with many rock different petroglyphs (rock carvings), in the background the pali with dark coloured recent lava flows (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: The surface of older pahoehoe lava flows has been covered with many rock different petroglyph... [info]
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Day 3: Petroglyphs of human like figures - little is known of the many sites with petroglyphs that can be found across the islands of Hawaii, the oldest being estimated to date back 1000 years (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Petroglyphs of human like figures - little is known of the many sites with petroglyphs that c... [info]
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Day 3: The Pu´u Loa petroglyphs depict human figures, animals as well as geometrical shapes (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: The Pu´u Loa petroglyphs depict human figures, animals as well as geometrical shapes (Photo: ... [info]
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Day 3: Coastline at the end of Chain of Craters Road with in the central background the steam plume from the lava ocean entry at Kamokuna (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: Coastline at the end of Chain of Craters Road with in the central background the steam plume ... [info]
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Day 3: The fierce ocean waves attacking the relatively young lava cliffs - on the Big Island new land is simultaneously created and destroyed (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 3: The fierce ocean waves attacking the relatively young lava cliffs - on the Big Island new lan... [info]
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Day 3: Sea arch at the bottom of the Chain of Craters Road (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4: Older and partially vegetated a´a lava flows from Mauna Loa along the road down south (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 4: Older and partially vegetated a´a lava flows from Mauna Loa along the road down south (Photo:... [info]
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Day 4: Scenic stop along the way down south (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4: View from Naalehu lookout towards the southeastern coastline of the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: View from Naalehu lookout towards the southeastern coastline of the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
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Day 4: On the (off) road to the Green Sand Beach in the back of a 4X4 truck (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4: Green Sand Beach formed in a small bay along the southernmost tip of Hawai´i where green volcanic crystals accumulated (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: Green Sand Beach formed in a small bay along the southernmost tip of Hawai´i where green volc... [info]
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Day 4: The volcanic layers that form the borders of the bay contain the green mineral olivine that erodes and accumulates below to form a beach of green sand (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: The volcanic layers that form the borders of the bay contain the green mineral olivine that e... [info]
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Day 4: Despite the fact that the green sand beach is in a small sheltered bay, the waves are pretty strong! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: Despite the fact that the green sand beach is in a small sheltered bay, the waves are pretty ... [info]
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Day 4: Marine locals of Green Sand Beach (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4: Pick-nick lunch before we continue our journey to the Kula Kai caverns. (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 4: Pick-nick lunch before we continue our journey to the Kula Kai caverns. (Photo: Steven Van de... [info]
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Day 4: View across a lava field with a´a flows of different ages (darkest are the youngest) from the pick-nick lookout (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: View across a lava field with a´a flows of different ages (darkest are the youngest) from the... [info]
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Day 4: Introduction into the geology of Hawai´i before exploring some lava tubes (Photo: Ingrid Smet... [info]
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Day 4: Going down and entereing the lava tubes of Kula Kai caverns. (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4: Chocolate look-alike texture of lava that solidified whilst dripping from the lava cave´s ceiling (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: Chocolate look-alike texture of lava that solidified whilst dripping from the lava cave´s cei... [info]
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Day 4: Getting information about the lava flow that shaped this large central tube (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: Getting information about the lava flow that shaped this large central tube (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info]
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Day 4: Colourful mineralisations on the walls and ceiling of the lava tube (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 4: A wall of chocolate-textured frozen lava covered with white mineralisations (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: A wall of chocolate-textured frozen lava covered with white mineralisations (Photo: Ingrid Sm... [info]
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Day 4: Enjoying to explore the different textures and tunnels of this lava ´cave´ system! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: Enjoying to explore the different textures and tunnels of this lava ´cave´ system! (Photo: In... [info]
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Day 4: Trees have their roots growing through the ceiling of the lava tube and dangling down as large natural curtains (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 4: Trees have their roots growing through the ceiling of the lava tube and dangling down as larg... [info]
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Day 5: Sunrise on Easter Sunday whilst on a boat tour to go see the Kamokuna lava ocean entry from close... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: Sunrise on Easter Sunday whilst on a boat tour to go see the Kamokuna lava ocean entry from c... [info]
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Day 5: First viewing of the red hot liquid lava flowing into the ocean at Kamokuna! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: First viewing of the red hot liquid lava flowing into the ocean at Kamokuna! (Photo: Ingrid S... [info]
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Day 5: Along the new coastal cliffs different small rivers of lava flow down into the ocean (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: Along the new coastal cliffs different small rivers of lava flow down into the ocean (Photo: ... [info]
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Day 5: Panoramic view of the lava ocean entry at Kamokuna (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: The moon above the large steam clouds that billow up from the lava ocean entry (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: The moon above the large steam clouds that billow up from the lava ocean entry (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
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Day 5: Some people illegally walked to right above the Kamokuna ocean entry (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 5: Some people illegally walked to right above the Kamokuna ocean entry (Photo: Steven Van den B... [info]
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Day 5: A song of fire and water... Lava pouring into the ocean wants to create new land but is immediately attacked by the strong ocean waves. The never ending battle between the goddess sisters Pele and Namakaokahai at its most intense! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: A song of fire and water... Lava pouring into the ocean wants to create new land but is immed... [info]
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Day 5: Large volumes of steam is generated through the interaction of over a 1000 degrees C hot lava and the ocean water, but it is intermittently blown away by the wind to offer a good view on the spectacle (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: Large volumes of steam is generated through the interaction of over a 1000 degrees C hot lava... [info]
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Day 5: The sunrise boat tour to the lava ocean entry at Kamokuna was one of the many highlights on this trip! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: The sunrise boat tour to the lava ocean entry at Kamokuna was one of the many highlights on t... [info]
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Day 5: View of the Kamukona ocean entry on 16 April 2017. Lava flows reached the ocean in July 2016 and had build up a large new bench which collapsed on New Year 2017, after which the feeding tube of the lava flow was exposed high in the cliffs - the area just below the yellow sulphur minralisations on the right. It took almost 3 months for the lava to encase itself again and built the new bench from where we now saw it flowing into the ocean. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: View of the Kamukona ocean entry on 16 April 2017. Lava flows reached the ocean in July 2016 ... [info]
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Day 5: Overview of the Kamukona ocean entry on 16 April 2017, with (right) below the yellow sulphur mineralisations the encased tube through which lava flows to eventually run down the lower cliffs into the sea (central right), creating a large steam plume (centeal) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: Overview of the Kamukona ocean entry on 16 April 2017, with (right) below the yellow sulphur ... [info]
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Day 5: Glimpse of a wider lava flow running down into the ocean (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: Red hot lava flowing across the bench into the ocean (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: Multiple lava flows of different shape and size run or trickle down into the ocean below (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 5: Multiple lava flows of different shape and size run or trickle down into the ocean below (Pho... [info]
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Day 5: ...because where else do you go for breakfast after having seen the Goddess of Fire´s power from such a close range? (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: ...because where else do you go for breakfast after having seen the Goddess of Fire´s power f... [info]
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Day 5: A large lava flow ran through the outskirts of Pahoa town in 2015, destroying one home and almost destroying the wast transfer station located below this hill (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: A large lava flow ran through the outskirts of Pahoa town in 2015, destroying one home and al... [info]
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Day 5: The metal wiring on the hill bordering the waste transfer station surprisingly contained most of the 2015 Pahoa lava flow that ran past it in parallel direction (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: The metal wiring on the hill bordering the waste transfer station surprisingly contained most... [info]
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Day 5: Studying the ropey texture of the pahoehoe lava that burn through the metal wire fence and rand down the small slope (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: Studying the ropey texture of the pahoehoe lava that burn through the metal wire fence and ra... [info]
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DAy 5: Colourful interior of small pieces of lava from the 2015 Pahoa flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: Colourful flowers next to the 2015 Oahoa lava flow (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 5: Colourful flowers next to the 2015 Oahoa lava flow (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van He... [info]
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Day 5: Colourful flower next to the 2015 Oahoa lava flow (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Day 5: Colourful flower next to the 2015 Oahoa lava flow (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heg... [info]
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Day 5: Typical ropey texture of the 2015 pahoehoe lava flow in Pahoa (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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day 5: Ferns are already finding spots to grow within the cracks of the 2 year young lava flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

day 5: Ferns are already finding spots to grow within the cracks of the 2 year young lava flow (Phot... [info]
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Day 5: Exploring the textures of the 2015 Pahoa lava flow (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: Frozen ropey texture of pahoehoe lava flowing downhill (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: The vegetation right next to the 2015 lava flow survived surprisingly well (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: The vegetation right next to the 2015 lava flow survived surprisingly well (Photo: Ingrid Sme... [info]
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Day 5: Enjoying a soak in a hydrothermal spring near the coast (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: Local resident of the hydrothermal semi-saline spring (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: View from the hydrothermal spring out across the ocean (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: All of the coasts on the Big Island are constructed from dark lava flows and under continuous attack of the ocean waves (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: All of the coasts on the Big Island are constructed from dark lava flows and under continuous... [info]
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Day 5: Green tunnel road to the Isaac Hale Beach marina from where the sunrise lava ocean entry boat tour set off (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: Green tunnel road to the Isaac Hale Beach marina from where the sunrise lava ocean entry boat... [info]
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Day 5: Mangrove type of trees (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: Short visit of the Lava Tree State Monument (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe) [info]
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Day 5: The ti plant was brought to Hawaii by the Polynesian settlers due to its versatile uses. It comes in many colours and shades and is planted every for good luck. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: The ti plant was brought to Hawaii by the Polynesian settlers due to its versatile uses. It c... [info]
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Day 5: Imprint of the bark of tree on the lava that encased it. (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 5: One of the larger ´lava trees´ found in the park (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(92 Hits)

Day 5: View upwards inside the mould of lava that covered the tree once standing there (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 5: View upwards inside the mould of lava that covered the tree once standing there (Photo: Ingri... [info]
(90 Hits)

17April1.jpg (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(86 Hits)

Day 6: View from the Kilauea Iki crater rim towards the cinder and spatter cone Pu´u Pua´i (gushing hill) from where the lava fountains erupted through a vent that is now the reddish brown cavity at the base (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6: View from the Kilauea Iki crater rim towards the cinder and spatter cone Pu´u Pua´i (gushing ... [info]
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Day 6: Information plate showing a picture of the actual eruption at Kilauea Iki in 1959, more or less the same field of view as the first image of day 6 (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6: Information plate showing a picture of the actual eruption at Kilauea Iki in 1959, more or le... [info]
(97 Hits)

Day 6: The Kilauea Iki trail starts in tropical rain forest on the crater rim, and today the weather made clear where all the wet tropical vegetation on Hawaii comes from... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6: The Kilauea Iki trail starts in tropical rain forest on the crater rim, and today the weather... [info]
(98 Hits)

17April5.jpg (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(85 Hits)

Day 6: View of the 1959 cinder cone as we descend down into Kilauea Iki crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6: Closer view of the 1959 cinder and spatter cone with the slump scars on the top left. These grooves formed when oversteepened slabs of congealed lava spatter broke loose and slid down the side of the cone. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6: Closer view of the 1959 cinder and spatter cone with the slump scars on the top left. These g... [info]
(95 Hits)

Day 6: View from the crater floor across to the base of the inner crater walls where you see horizontal layers of lava subsidence terraces which formed when some of the lava drained back into the vent, leaving ´bathtub ring´ like reminders of its highest level. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6: View from the crater floor across to the base of the inner crater walls where you see horizon... [info]
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Day 6: Standing in the centre of what used to be a boiling hot lava lake where the thick cooled crust cracked and buckled as the level of the liquid lake dropped when some of the lava drained back into the vent (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6: Standing in the centre of what used to be a boiling hot lava lake where the thick cooled crus... [info]
(172 Hits)

Day 6: View from the centre of the ´frozen´ Kilauea Iki lava lake towards the crater rim where we started the hike earlier on. (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Day 6: View from the centre of the ´frozen´ Kilauea Iki lava lake towards the crater rim where we st... [info]
(98 Hits)

Day 6: Rainbow Falls on cloudy day (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6: The waterfalls at Rainbow Falls (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6: Interesting mangrove like trees at Rainbow Falls (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
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Day 6: Interesting mangrove like trees at Rainbow Falls (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(76 Hits)

Day 6: Delicious goodbye dinner on the last evening of the (official) tour (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(87 Hits)

Extension day 1: Grey clouds and wet weather are perfect to do some wine and tea tasting in America´s southernmost winery? (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 1: Grey clouds and wet weather are perfect to do some wine and tea tasting in America´... [info]
(91 Hits)

Extension day 1: Different (wine) glasses of the Volcano Winery (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(84 Hits)

Extension day 1: Our volcano adventures mascot trying out the unique wines of the Volcano Winery (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 1: Our volcano adventures mascot trying out the unique wines of the Volcano Winery (Ph... [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 1: Punalu´u Black Sand Beach (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(93 Hits)

Extension day 1: The famous Hawaiian green sea turtles (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(82 Hits)

Extension day 1: Green sea turtles at Black Sand Beach (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(84 Hits)

Extension day 1:Typical Hawaiian beach with black volcanic sand and palm trees (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(88 Hits)

Extension day 1: Close up of the flowers of the common beach scrub called sea lettuce or beach naupaka (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 1: Close up of the flowers of the common beach scrub called sea lettuce or beach naupa... [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 1: Sun setting on Kona town (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(79 Hits)

Extension day 1: Basaltic pebbles on a beach in Kona (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(81 Hits)

Extension day 1: Palm trees against a sunset sky (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(72 Hits)

Extension day 1: Sunset mood at the Kona shores (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(80 Hits)

Extension day 2: Visiting the unique orchid maze at Akatsuka Orchid Gardens (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(93 Hits)

Extension day 2: Orchids at Akatsuka gardens (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(90 Hits)

Extension day 2: Orchids at Akatsuka gardens (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(80 Hits)

Extension day 2: View across to the western coastline of the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(90 Hits)

Extension day 2: Informative explanations about the manta rays prior to getting into the water (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 2: Informative explanations about the manta rays prior to getting into the water (Phot... [info]
(96 Hits)

Extension day 2: Our small vessel that set out in the late afternoon for after sunset manta ray snorkeling! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 2: Our small vessel that set out in the late afternoon for after sunset manta ray snor... [info]
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Extension day 2: Doing some swimming and snorkeling whilst awaiting sunset (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 2: The sun sets once more magnificently into the Pacific ocean around Hawaii (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 2: The sun sets once more magnificently into the Pacific ocean around Hawaii (Photo: I... [info]
(75 Hits)

19April10.jpg (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(91 Hits)

Extension day 2: As the daylight vanishes and the lights are switched on our floating device, schools of small fish come over to feast on the plankton that is attracted by the lights (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 2: As the daylight vanishes and the lights are switched on our floating device, school... [info]
(94 Hits)

Extension day 2: And soon the marine animal for which we came on this evening excursion joins in as well: a large manta ray comes feasting on the plankton too! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 2: And soon the marine animal for which we came on this evening excursion joins in as ... [info]
(103 Hits)

Extension day 2: It is impossible to describe the feeling of having this majestic gentle giant swooping up right below and next to you, almost swimming into you as it circles in the light beam below with its mouth wide open, feeding on the plankton... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 2: It is impossible to describe the feeling of having this majestic gentle giant swoop... [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 2: Majestic manta ray and smaller fish feeding on the plankton attracted by our artificial lights (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 2: Majestic manta ray and smaller fish feeding on the plankton attracted by our artifi... [info]
(81 Hits)

Extension day 3: Safety and information briefing prior to the doors-off helicopter tour... (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Safety and information briefing prior to the doors-off helicopter tour... (Photo: I... [info]
(98 Hits)

Extension day 3: All aboard the snug helicopter of Paradise Helicopters - who needs doors anyway? (Photo: Christina Metzger)

Extension day 3: All aboard the snug helicopter of Paradise Helicopters - who needs doors anyway? (P... [info]
(89 Hits)

Extension day 3: A final check and then ready for take-off on the ´Volcanoes and Waterfalls´ helicopter tour! (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: A final check and then ready for take-off on the ´Volcanoes and Waterfalls´ helicop... [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 3: View from just outside Hilo towards Mouna Kea (right) and Mouna Loa (left) shield volcanoes (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: View from just outside Hilo towards Mouna Kea (right) and Mouna Loa (left) shield v... [info]
(92 Hits)

Extension day 3: View towards the since 1983 ongoing eruption in the East Rift Zone, with to the right the lava shield with Pu´u O´o crater from where lava flows travel underground Kamukona ocean entry marked by the steam plume (left) (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: View towards the since 1983 ongoing eruption in the East Rift Zone, with to the rig... [info]
(84 Hits)

Extension day 3: Closer view towards the lava shield with active Pu´u O´o crater from where volcanic gasses rise up (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Closer view towards the lava shield with active Pu´u O´o crater from where volcanic... [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 3: Relatively young dark brown lava flows that went down the pali (steeper slope) left some islands of forest behind, known as ´kipukas´ . The trail of steam indicates where the lava is traveling underground towards the ocean entry (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Relatively young dark brown lava flows that went down the pali (steeper slope) left... [info]
(88 Hits)

Extension day 3: Older lava flows that came down the pali left a kipuka (vegetation island) behind. More recent surface lava outbreaks are recognisable by their dark brown to black colour, the steam trail indicates where the lava is flowing underground in lava tubes to the ocean entry at Kamukona (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 3: Older lava flows that came down the pali left a kipuka (vegetation island) behind. ... [info]
(102 Hits)

Extension day 3: Aerial overview of the Kamukona lava ocean entry, with the asphalt road destroyed by earlier lava flows, the steam trail marking the lava´s underground path and the steam cloud marking the Pu´u O´o lava shield and active crater in the central background (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Aerial overview of the Kamukona lava ocean entry, with the asphalt road destroyed b... [info]
(92 Hits)

Extension day 3: Aerial view of the Kamukona lava ocean entry on 21 April 2017, showing the yellow mineralisation around the lava tube from where the lava encased itself to run down to the new platform from where it flows into the ocean (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Aerial view of the Kamukona lava ocean entry on 21 April 2017, showing the yellow m... [info]
(89 Hits)

Extension day 3: Aerial view of the Kamukona lava ocean entry on 21 April 2017, showing the yellow m... [info]
(90 Hits)

Extension day 3: The Kamukona lava ocean entry from the air. with a large steam plume generated where different streams of lava pour into the ocean and smaller fumarolic activity at the top of the new platform where the main lava feeder tune arrives (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: The Kamukona lava ocean entry from the air. with a large steam plume generated wher... [info]
(87 Hits)

Extension day 3: View of the Kumokona lava ocean entry point with discolourations near the coast showing the contours of the new submarine platforms and avalanches that formed since lava entered the ocean here in July 2016 (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: View of the Kumokona lava ocean entry point with discolourations near the coast sho... [info]
(100 Hits)

Extension day 3: Tracing the underground lava flow by the overland steam trail from the ocean entry back up to Pu´u O´o lava shield (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Tracing the underground lava flow by the overland steam trail from the ocean entry ... [info]
(94 Hits)

Extension day 3: View across the vast lava fields of Kilauea´s East Rift Zone towards the silhouette of Mauna Kea (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: View across the vast lava fields of Kilauea´s East Rift Zone towards the silhouette... [info]
(100 Hits)

Extension day 3: Flying over the lava fields our pilot tries to spot the freshest silvery coloured lava flows in the hopes of seeing some fresh overland breakouts (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Flying over the lava fields our pilot tries to spot the freshest silvery coloured l... [info]
(79 Hits)

Extension day 3: We´re in luck! Amidst the glistening silver coat of fresh lava flow crusts we spot some red hot lava moving down the slope (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 3: We´re in luck! Amidst the glistening silver coat of fresh lava flow crusts we spot ... [info]
(87 Hits)

Extension day 3: Very fresh black to silvery pahoehoe lava flows with an actively flowing overland breakout (bottom centre) (Photo: Christina Metzger)

Extension day 3: Very fresh black to silvery pahoehoe lava flows with an actively flowing overland b... [info]
(77 Hits)

Extension day 3: Two beautiful pahoehoe lava flows with ropey texture actively flowing across the vast lava fields (Photo: Christina Metzger)

Extension day 3: Two beautiful pahoehoe lava flows with ropey texture actively flowing across the va... [info]
(89 Hits)

Extension day 3: View towards the lava shield of Pu´u O´o where steam plumes rise up from the different active craters and vents (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 3: View towards the lava shield of Pu´u O´o where steam plumes rise up from the differ... [info]
(85 Hits)

Extension day 3: The main crater at Pu´u O´o has fumaroles at different locations (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: The main crater at Pu´u O´o has fumaroles at different locations (Photo: Ingrid Sme... [info]
(97 Hits)

$Extension day 3: Steam coming up from a hornito (small sort of spatter cone) and fractures on the edge of the main Pu´u O´o caldera (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)$

Extension day 3: Steam coming up from a hornito (small sort of spatter cone) and fractures on the ed... [info]
(82 Hits)

Extension day 3: Just outside the main Pu´u O´o caldera is smaller vent filled with boiling lava (Photo: Christina Metzger)

Extension day 3: Just outside the main Pu´u O´o caldera is smaller vent filled with boiling lava (Ph... [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 3: The active lava lake atop the Pu´u O´o shield (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 3: The active lava lake atop the Pu´u O´o shield (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana V... [info]
(92 Hits)

Extension day 3: Closer view of the textures of the solid crust that formed on the active Pu´u O´o lava lake (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 3: Closer view of the textures of the solid crust that formed on the active Pu´u O´o l... [info]
(118 Hits)

Extension day 3: Close-up of the edge of the Pu´u O´o lava lake where red hot lava bubbles up and flows over the dark cooled crust (Photo: Christina Metzger)

Extension day 3: Close-up of the edge of the Pu´u O´o lava lake where red hot lava bubbles up and fl... [info]
(95 Hits)

Extension day 3: Overview of the largest crater on the Pu´u O´o lava shield of Kilauea´s East Rift Zone, which has been erupting continuously since 1983 (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Overview of the largest crater on the Pu´u O´o lava shield of Kilauea´s East Rift ... [info]
(99 Hits)

Extension day 3: The lava lake in a smaller vent on top of the Pu´u O´o shield (Photo: Ingrid Smet)... [info]
(90 Hits)

Extension day 3: Close up of the Pu´u O´o lava lake and the zigzag pattern with which boiling red hot lava breaks through the cool black crust (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Close up of the Pu´u O´o lava lake and the zigzag pattern with which boiling red ho... [info]
(86 Hits)

Extension day 3: View towards Mauna Kea, the highest volcano on the Big Island and the only one which is known to have been glaciated (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: View towards Mauna Kea, the highest volcano on the Big Island and the only one whi... [info]
(132 Hits)

Extension day 3: Closer view of the silhouette of Mauna Kea shield volcano with the some of the buildings that house the different telescopes that make Mauna Kea Observatories one of the most important land-based astronomy sites in the world (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Closer view of the silhouette of Mauna Kea shield volcano with the some of the buil... [info]
(98 Hits)

Extension day 3: Some of the many waterfalls that can be found to the north - northwest of the town of Hilo (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 3: Some of the many waterfalls that can be found to the north - northwest of the town ... [info]
(79 Hits)

Extension day 3: Waterfalls north - northwest of the town of Hilo (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(76 Hits)

Extension day 3: Waterfalls north - northwest of the town of Hilo (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(75 Hits)

Extension day 3: All smiles after a great helicopter tour! (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 3: All smiles after a great helicopter tour! (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van H... [info]
(90 Hits)

Extension day 3: After such an exciting morning and busy week it is time for some Hawaiian style relaxing at a nice communal beach (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: After such an exciting morning and busy week it is time for some Hawaiian style rel... [info]
(72 Hits)

Extension day 3: One of the many black basaltic beaches near Hilo (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(70 Hits)

Extension day 3: Within a few metres of the shoreline there is a colourful world of corals and fish such as this Hawaiian lipstick tang fish (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Within a few metres of the shoreline there is a colourful world of corals and fish ... [info]
(76 Hits)

Extension day 3: Within a few metres of the shoreline there is a colourful world of corals and fish such as these yellow tang fish (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Within a few metres of the shoreline there is a colourful world of corals and fish ... [info]
(73 Hits)

Extension day 3: Within a few metres of the shoreline there is a colourful world of corals and fish such as this Moorish Idol fish (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 3: Within a few metres of the shoreline there is a colourful world of corals and fish ... [info]
(77 Hits)

Extension day 4: Morning view across Kilauea Iki crater on a sunny and blue skied day (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Morning view across Kilauea Iki crater on a sunny and blue skied day (Photo: Ingrid... [info]
(82 Hits)

Extension day 4: Close up of the cinder and spatter cone in Kilauea Iki crater with in the central background steam rising up from Halema´uma´u crater (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Close up of the cinder and spatter cone in Kilauea Iki crater with in the central b... [info]
(79 Hits)

Extension day 4: View across Kilauea Iki crater and the silhouette of Mauna Loa in the background (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 4: View across Kilauea Iki crater and the silhouette of Mauna Loa in the background (P... [info]
(677 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Steven Van den Berg... [info]
(66 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(69 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(81 Hits)

Extension day 4: Beautiful texture and colours of ti plant leaves in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Beautiful texture and colours of ti plant leaves in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical G... [info]
(65 Hits)

Extension day 4: Gold Dust Day Gecki spotted in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 4: Gold Dust Day Gecki spotted in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Steven ... [info]
(65 Hits)

Extension day 4:Canopy of palm trees in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(68 Hits)

Extension day 4:Waterfalls in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(77 Hits)

Extension day 4:Waterfalls in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(71 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(66 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(68 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(73 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(71 Hits)

Extension day 4: Coast line in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(76 Hits)

Extension day 4: Coast line in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(68 Hits)

Extension day 4: Ocean waves breaking down on basaltic coastal cliffs in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Ocean waves breaking down on basaltic coastal cliffs in the Hawaii Tropical Botanic... [info]
(76 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(74 Hits)

Extension day 4: Afternoon visit of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(71 Hits)

Extension day 4: Last viewing of the Halema´uma´u lava lake from the Jaggar Museum lookout (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Last viewing of the Halema´uma´u lava lake from the Jaggar Museum lookout (Photo: I... [info]
(77 Hits)

Extension day 4: Orange red glow illuminating the inner walls of Halema´uma´u crater as seen from the Jaggar Museum lookout (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Orange red glow illuminating the inner walls of Halema´uma´u crater as seen from th... [info]
(95 Hits)

Extension day 4: Halema´uma´u lava lake under a starry night sky, seen from the Jaggar Museum lookout (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Halema´uma´u lava lake under a starry night sky, seen from the Jaggar Museum lookou... [info]
(90 Hits)

Extension day 4: Starry night sky and the red hot glow from the Halema´uma´u lava lake, seen from the Jaggar Museum lookout (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 4: Starry night sky and the red hot glow from the Halema´uma´u lava lake, seen from th... [info]
(79 Hits)

Extension day 5: On the road back to Kona airport (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(73 Hits)

Extension day 5: Lookout across Waipi´o valley on the way back to Kona airport (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(77 Hits)

Extension day 5: Close(r) up of a high waterfall across the coastal cliffs of Waipi´o valley (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 5: Close(r) up of a high waterfall across the coastal cliffs of Waipi´o valley (Photo:... [info]
(79 Hits)

Extension day 5: Jackson´s chameleon crossing the road (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe... [info]
(98 Hits)

Extension day 5: Hawaiian cats (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(97 Hits)

Extension day 5: Driving in the northern part of the Big Island back to Kona airport (Photo: Steven Van den Berge / Lana Van Heghe)

Extension day 5: Driving in the northern part of the Big Island back to Kona airport (Photo: Steven ... [info]
(90 Hits)

Extension day 5: Driving in the northern part of the Big Island back to Kona airport (Photo: Steven ... [info]
(85 Hits)

Extension day 5: Although not native to Hawaii, the colourful and beautifually fragrant Plumeria trees are found everywhere and their flowers one of the many symbols of the Big Island (Photo: Ingrid Smet)

Extension day 5: Although not native to Hawaii, the colourful and beautifually fragrant Plumeria tre... [info]
(88 Hits)

Extension day 5: Off we are - it has been a pleasure, hope to be back one day! (Photo: Ingrid Smet) [info]
(91 Hits)

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Kilauea Volcano Special, Hawai'i: tour photos April 2017