Lava Flows

somehow Pele has spared a small section of the road

we pass the remains of burned palm trees and a storage room

this used to be roadside bush

some sections are saved, for now

a lava sculpture, designed and made by Madame Pele

in 2001 we are back, the lava has claimed a much larger stretch of the road

a 1992 aerial view of the blocked coastal Route 137

where ocean meets lava, the ocean wins

where the lava flows into the ocean, huge plumes of steam develop

the lava flowed down from that hill

clearly the lava layer has grown thicker

The Pu'u O'o cone is part of the Kilauea volcanic system and shares the same magma chamber.
From 1983 till 2018 Pu'u O'o has erupted frequently, spewing ashes high in the air, lighting up the night skies with spectacular lava fountains and sending massive lava flows downslope. Scores of earthquakes up to a level of 6.9 have rocked the area. The lava swallowed everything on its way towards the ocean, including villages and large stretches of coastal Route 137.

In 2014 a new flow targeted Pahoa and threatened to cut off the only access road, but the lava stopped just in time.

It is estimated that from 1983 the lava has added more than 2 km 2 land to Hawaii.

In 1992 we flew over the area and saw the red stuff flowing. Afterwards we visited the blocked route 137 via the Chain of Craters Road. At some places the stuff was still luke warm.

When we returned in 2001 the lava had claimed a much larger stretch of the road and had gained considerably in height.

After the spectacular eruption in May 2018 Pu'u O'o has called it quits and Madame Pele has focused on Kilauea proper.

from the helicopter we look right into an active lava tube

this stuff is hot (note, the bright red stripes are reflections in the chopper window)

after the helicopter-ride it is time for a down to earth investigation

a token of hope, showing the resilience of Mother Nature

and now there are friendly rangers to answer all your questions