How to find out what’s going on with the lava on Hawaii’s Big Island
Posted on Wed, Oct 7, 2009 by Sheila
There are few sights more impressive and exciting than observing hot lava ooze and flow on Hawaii’s Big Island. The words amazing and incredible are overused these days, but honestly, they both apply to the experience of watching lava flow. It’s a display that will surely have you saying wow over and over again.
So, how do you find out what’s going on with the lava flow? Fortunately, there are some great resources that provide frequently updated status of the volcanic activity on Hawaii. This list is all you need to stay in the know:
1. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Kilauea Status Reports is updated daily with all the Kilauea activity. It’s got quite a bit of scientific language, but you can still glean the basics of the volcano activity from the reports. Notice that from this site, you can access links to see semi-live (still photos captured and displayed every five or ten minutes) web cams volcano vents and craters – Puu Oo and Halemaumau.
2. County of Hawaii provides information on the Kalapana lava viewing site via their hotline — 808.961.8093. The hotline is regularly updated to let you know if lava is visible from the viewing area.
3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Web site has a page dedicated to updating the volcano activity, but it isn’t updated as frequently as the others that I’ve already mentioned. When you are on Hawaii’s Big Island, I do recommend a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (See tips for visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.) While you are there, do stop into the Visitor’s Center for a wealth of information and advice on Kilauea’s activity and lava viewing. The park rangers have some of the most up to date lava information.
Always bear in mind that volcanic activity is unpredictable. I think that’s part of the mystic of a volcano. So, do plan to be flexible when you visit Hawaii and want to see the lava flowing.
As you make your plans to see lava on the Big Island, be sure and review my tips for viewing the lava flow so that you’ll be properly prepared and safe.
Have you seen lava flowing on the Big Island? How would you describe the sight?
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Great Post Sheila. I always like to remind people that even though the lava has been flowing for quite a while – It wont flow like this forever.
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sheila Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Thanks, Dave.
I really don’t understand why the Big Island is not more popular. I mean, how much more exciting can it get with an active volcano?!
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I would have to agree! Nothing beats the excitement of having to see an active volcano. This place would be great for our next video shoot. Thanks for the great post.
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