Beauty Among The Heat
According to Hawaiian legends, the Kilauea Caldera (Halema’uma’u) in this part of the Big Island is home to the powerful goddess Pele. The crater is 3000 ft across and more than 280 feet deep!
Kilauea Caldera
A small testament to Pele’s power can be seen (and smelt) daily in Volcanoes National Park Hawaii in the form of thick sulfur dioxide gases. PU!
Steam Vents
Taking a walk along these steam vents was quite an experience! Imagine fissures deep in the rock with sauna-like vapor wrapping up and around a body…you’re talking, but suddenly everyone is invisible – though they are only a few feet away.
Lava Tube
For a break from the heat, we ducked into the Lava Tube. Drippy, damp, spooky fun!
End of the road
The Chain of Craters Road meets the fury of Pele.
Lava into the sea!
Lava flows outside of the park, directly into the ocean. Amazing!
Really?
In 1983, this area was overtaken by molten lava. During the past 1000 years, lava flows have buried 500 square miles of the island! And there is no indication the flow will end anytime soon.
Holei Sea Arch
Along the Chain of Craters Road. Erosion of the lava rock creates spectacular arches.
A truly amazing place to visit!
About the author: whatboundaries
