"Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park" Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by BlueCollar

April 2008 Update: I will be updating this page soon. Please check back later.

As we hiked on the lava fields below Pu`u O`o to get to the current surface flows, we came across this interesting formation. Why so interesting? It's just hardened lava....right? Yes, but it was formed in a most unusual manner. Lava usually travels the path of least resistance. This little beauty managed to build and flow straight up! Upwards is not usually the path of least resistance.

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Return to my Big Island page.

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Return to my main Hawai`i page.

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That's me braving the heat of this little breakout near where the current tube is emptying into the ocean. Although the hardened surface insulates the molten rock below, you can still feel the tremendous heat radiating from the black rock below your feet. Afterall, the molten rock is around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit so there is plenty of heat to dissapate. Hence, the oven-like feel to the air where I am standing. And the closer and longer you stand there, the more likely your hair and skin will singe.

In some places on these lava fields you cannot stand still for any period of time. The heat radiating upwards is over-whelming. The hot, hot air is difficult to inhale. If not for the ever-present ocean breeze, it would be unbearable and unbreatheable (is that a word?).

On top of all that, if you stand still too long, your shoes will melt. This happened to one of the others in our group. Her soles separated from the upper body of her shoes. On our return hike over the current lava tube, she had to be carried over the hotplate.

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Here's an infrared shot of the lava before sunrise. On our previous trip here one year earlier, we had wanted to hike to the current lava flow at night. However, it was at least 2.5 miles from the end of Chain of Craters Road which made it much TOO dangerous to hike at night. This time, the lava was flowing right at the end of the road and made our pre-dawn trip to see it a memorable success.

The tips below are specifically for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Please go to my main Hawaii Page for a comprehensive listing of things to do and see on all of the islands as well as general planning for a trip to the islands.

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Don't forget my travel tips for this Park.

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More photos of the lava in my travelogues here and here.

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Here is the official website for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

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• Pros:Awesome views of mother nature at work
• Cons:Too much to see in just one or two days