We went to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to get a closer look at the volcanoes. We started by looking at the Thurston Lava Tube. They say lava flowed through this 500 years ago.
This is a steam vent. Rain that has seeped into the ground and is heated by Kilaue and comes out as steam.
Looking across it looks like there could be a fire going on, but there are steam vents all over.
Our next stop was to walk across a once-molten lake of lava in Kilauea Iki Crater. We took a 4 mile hike to see it all. These hearty ohi'a plants take toot in the cracks where moisture is.
You follow the ahu (stacked rocks) on the trail.
You can see how large it is compared to the people. The lava "lake" was as high as the top of the cliff. We had 400 feet of descent, and therefore ascent:) There is kind of a hollow sound as you walk. It can make you a little uneasy. When you pick up some lava rock, it looks like it would be heavy, but because of the holes from the air it is very light.
What amazes me is how this volcano went off in 1959 and how there is still smoke coming out where rain water goes down through the cracks and the heat from below heats it up. 68 million tons of lava poured into the crater. In 1988 the lava was almost all hard when scientist drilled down 240 feet. It is now entirely solid, but it is still hot inside.
Below you can see more of the steam coming up.
On our way back to our side of the island we stopped at Akaka Falls. You walk through the rain forest. Check out the roots on this tree!
420 foot plunge.
Not the greatest picture, but I have to put one of us by the waterfall. We got quite warm on the 4 mile hike earlier. It was so worth it!
Off to our next adventure!
Kristen
Leave a Reply