Category: Kilauea

Exploring an active volcano

Yet Another Volcano Run…

This current eruption has been wonderful and frustrating in alternate measure. The eruption started just before Christmas 2024 and has now persisted well into 2025. Along the way it has been an off and on again show, one with frustrating timing.

The plume from the January 2025 eruption of Kilauea
The plume from the January 2025 eruption of Kilauea

While erupting the volcano has produced some of the most spectacular lava fountains, it then shuts off like somebody closed a valve, often going from full throttle to nothing in minutes.

For the first part of this eruptive series the timing has been horrible, at least from my viewpoint. Through the Christmas holiday I had a series of commitments well timed to prevent my running over to see the eruption while it was going. Then, when I was free to drive over the eruption stopped!

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A Rainy Morning in the Park

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is famous for eruptions and lava, so many come hoping to see this spectacle of nature. The park is also famous for the crowds, particularly at the more popular viewpoints and trailheads. While the park is enormous, only a small portion of the park is easily accessible and even then the crowds tend to concentrate at the summit of Kilauea and along the rim of the caldera.

A rainforest atop Kilauea dominated by ‘ōhi‘a and hāpuʻu ferns
A rainforest atop Kilauea dominated by ‘ōhi‘a and hāpuʻu ferns

Those like myself who enjoy the park will often plan outings specifically to avoid the crowds, and fortunately this is relatively easy to do. Visiting the lesser used sections of the park is a good tactic. A visit to the park’s Kahuku unit is a good choice. Or perhaps a hike into the Ka‘u Desert.

Sometime you want to see the popular sections, this is also possible. One major hint… Early mornings.

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