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Comments (4)
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Save/ShareBy now you've probably heard the hot news (pardon the pun) from Hawaii—a new vent opened up in the Kilauea volcano this past Sunday, making way for lava spikes of up to 65 feet high. (Kilauea has been erupting on Hawaii's Big Island since January 3, 1983, making it one of the most active volcanoes on Earth.)
If you've ever wanted to witness one of nature's most dangerous and awe-inspiring displays of power, now is your chance. Check out this Associated Press video of the eruption here and then keep scrolling for two places in Hawaii where you can safely view the recent volcanic eruption.
Watch it:
(Courtesy, Associated Press.)
According to an article by the Los Angeles Times, trails and other areas close to the vent could still be dangerous, so hikers and other curious on-lookers are encouraged to proceed with caution. Because of a potential threat of hazardous gases—like sulfur dioxide—Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed nearby attractions, including the Chain of Craters Road and Kulanaokuaiki campground, as scientists continue to monitor eruptions.
Luckily, there are still two spots where visitors can safely view the latest lava show—from both inside and outside the park:
Stop by the Jaggar Museum, open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m, for a great view from within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Visitors are welcomed to watch from the museum's patio. After enjoying a beautiful Hawaiian sunset, you'll be able to see the lava light up the dark, rocky landscape.
If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, check out Kalapana, located just outside the park at the end of Highway 130. From the parking area, it is roughly a mile walk over a lava field that buried the small town of Kalapana back in 1990 (Don't worry, it has cooled over the last 20 years and is hard enough to walk on). The site is open to visitors from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m, but be sure to bring a flashlight if you plan to visit at night. It is also recommended that visitors wear covered shoes and long pants—lava rocks can be sharp—and stick to the trails as the the lava field can be difficult to navigate for those who are not used to such versatile terrain. For a spectacular view of the lava, visit closer to sundown and bring a flashlight for the walk back.
Before you head out, remember to call the "Lava Hotline" at [808] 961-8093 to make sure conditions are safe and the site is open for the day.
My family visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kalapana back in the summer of 1999 but we weren't lucky enough to catch a live eruption. How about you? Have you ever seen a volcano up close?
— Kaeli Conforti
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We got to see a live eruption in 2005- although not quite as awesome as this video. It was amazing and definitely worth the time it took to walk out and see. If we could do it again, I would walk out during the early evening and see it at night. We were able to get within a few hundred feet - something we will never forget. They recommend long pants, good shoes, flashlight and GLOVES. If you stumble - you will appreciate them.
If you plan a visit - just be careful. Don't do anything foolish. Do your homework and be respectful and safe.
Posted By CMM on March 7, 2011, 6:04 PM
Easily the coolest, or shall I say hottest, thing I have EVER seen. Once in a lifetime event! My daughter and I were inches away from molten lava, SO COOL! We went about around 2005.
Posted By Kathi on March 10, 2011, 1:11 PM
I was just in that area (Kalapana)three weeks ago and was able to get as close as I could stand to hot lava. I am a little bummed that we missed this eruption by only a few weeks, but I was more than thrilled with what we were able to see.
We went on a night hike with a guide from Volcano Discovery Hawaii, which I would HIGHLY recommend. The lava field that you need to hike across in order to get to the hot lava is on private property - hence the peculiar accessible hours of 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., so if you want to go outside of those hours, you need to hire a guide that has permission to access the property from the property owners (which Volcano Discovery has).
I would not recommend the hike for anyone with ankle or knee problems as the lava field is very uneven terrain. We hiked a little less than a mile each way and I was pooped at the end. I am in my mid-30's and in fairly good shape. Besides hiking shoes, which are an absolute must, bring a pair of garden gloves to wear as well. That way, if you fall, your hands won't get sliced up by the sharp lava.
Posted By Jessica on March 10, 2011, 1:48 PM
I visited Kalapana in 1983 and was able to get as close as 10 feet from the lava "eating" the little road that ran parallel to the beautiful black sand beach. When I went back a few years ago, the beach, the road, and the whole town was buried under many feet of lava - only the tops of the utility poles were still visible. LIQUID rock! Earth being born! It truly doesn't get much better than that.
Posted By cj on March 10, 2011, 3:18 PM