Beyond the 49...

Born to be Wild

Lava Entering Pacific Ocean Kalapana, Big Island, Hawaii In 2013 I happened to visit the Big Island while the volcano was erupting in such a way that the lava was pouring into the ocean. After hiking several miles over lava rock, I found myself on the edge of a giant lava-cliff looking down as lava poured into the water, growing the island little-by-little. The photos I took were some of my absolute favorites, and some of my most popular. In fact, one of the photos (“Fizzle Sizzle”) was my first to get published in a major magazine. Ever since that amazing trip I’ve always wanted to go back and see more lava. Unfortunately the lava tube changed course and for the next few years never flowed into the ocean. That is until May of 2016 when the “61g” lava flow began flowing back into the ocean! A trip was needed! Willie, Zack, Dan and I spent a short week visiting the ocean entry for 4 straight days in December. Unlike my first visit, where I had to hike for miles over lava rock, an emergency road had been reconstructed and could be walked on for 2 miles before running into the current flow. It was a much quicker “hike” out to the new flow! Most of our mornings were met with lots, and lots, and lots of steam. So much that we could barely see the lava entering the ocean. Despite spending 3 days longer than my first visit, I never did see the same lava-drips that I saw during my first visit. However, on our 2nd day on the island I saw something new: LAVA BOMBS! Here the pressure from the lava tube builds up so much that the lava explodes to the surface. Using a long exposure I was able to capture the explosions as lava flies out of the tube! Nikon D800 w/Sigma 150-600: 165mm, f/8, 8.0 sec, ISO 320

61gAaron Meyers PhotographyBig IslandD800FireHawaiiKalapanaNational ParkNikonNikon D800PacificPacific OceanParadiseSunriseactivebombentryeruptionexplosionhikehot lavakilauealandscapelavalava bomblava explosionlava flowmistnatureoceanocean entrysteamvacationvolcanicvolcanic bombvolcanic rockvolcanovolcano national parkwater