Hot Lava?
April 2, 2007 9:43 AM Subscribe
Where can a tourist see active lava in Iceland or Hawaii?
FWIW There don't seems to be many oportunities to see the glowing read stuff on the main tourist trails in Iceland, and the rest of the country is a little innacessable. I understand that Hawai is a much better bet.
(Not that Iceland isn't fantastic in other ways)
posted by Artw at 10:02 AM on April 2, 2007
(Not that Iceland isn't fantastic in other ways)
posted by Artw at 10:02 AM on April 2, 2007
As I mentioned in that other post, Hawaii's Vocanoes National Park is out of this world...espacially down at the ocean. E-mail is in the profile if you have any questions.
posted by mmascolino at 10:05 AM on April 2, 2007
posted by mmascolino at 10:05 AM on April 2, 2007
I was the author of the previous post, and got more good information on the topic, as well.
When I was there, the only way to see active lava was to hike out across the Kilauea lava fields, about 3 miles each way. It was a very strenuous hike, and you'll need to take food, water (of course), flashlights (headlamps work great), and assorted outer stuff. Go at dusk (hiking back in the dark), and you'll see a good show.
If there are accessible surface flows, the folks at Arnott's seem to be the ones to know about it. I'll likely do that hike if I get the chance again. I was fortunate enough to run into Steve O'Meara and Charlene Myers on my lava hike, so I got the inside information that there was no surface lava at that time, but conditions change daily.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:08 AM on April 2, 2007
When I was there, the only way to see active lava was to hike out across the Kilauea lava fields, about 3 miles each way. It was a very strenuous hike, and you'll need to take food, water (of course), flashlights (headlamps work great), and assorted outer stuff. Go at dusk (hiking back in the dark), and you'll see a good show.
If there are accessible surface flows, the folks at Arnott's seem to be the ones to know about it. I'll likely do that hike if I get the chance again. I was fortunate enough to run into Steve O'Meara and Charlene Myers on my lava hike, so I got the inside information that there was no surface lava at that time, but conditions change daily.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:08 AM on April 2, 2007
See also.
In Hawaii, your options are either to go to Pu'u 'O'o, the active eruption site, or to hike to one of the ocean entrances. I did the latter when I visited my sister in Spring 2005; we parked at the bottom of the Chain of Craters road and hiked 60-90 minutes over the pahoehoe. In mid-2006 (I think) a large chunk of "new land" broke off & fell into the ocean, and for a while they weren't allowing visitors in the area because of the geological instability. From the current information I can find, it appears that they're allowing people into the area again, but that the active ocean entrances are about twice as far away from the end of the road as they were when I visited. However, there might be surface flows that are closer by.
The Pu'u 'O'o vent is supposed to be pretty spectacular; however, I didn't actually visit it myself. It does require something of a hike to get to, though; something on the order of 5-10 miles, I believe. If you're interested, I can get in touch with my sister and find out more details.
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:22 AM on April 2, 2007
In Hawaii, your options are either to go to Pu'u 'O'o, the active eruption site, or to hike to one of the ocean entrances. I did the latter when I visited my sister in Spring 2005; we parked at the bottom of the Chain of Craters road and hiked 60-90 minutes over the pahoehoe. In mid-2006 (I think) a large chunk of "new land" broke off & fell into the ocean, and for a while they weren't allowing visitors in the area because of the geological instability. From the current information I can find, it appears that they're allowing people into the area again, but that the active ocean entrances are about twice as far away from the end of the road as they were when I visited. However, there might be surface flows that are closer by.
The Pu'u 'O'o vent is supposed to be pretty spectacular; however, I didn't actually visit it myself. It does require something of a hike to get to, though; something on the order of 5-10 miles, I believe. If you're interested, I can get in touch with my sister and find out more details.
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:22 AM on April 2, 2007
Go to Volcanoes (on Hawaii's big island) and do the hike. Start early! My boyfriend and I went as far as we could across the lava fields because there were rumors that you could "walk right up" if you went to the other side of the lava flow we could see. Those rumors turned out to be false, and the walk back was lonely and a little scary. This was summer 2006.
posted by crinklebat at 11:03 AM on April 2, 2007
posted by crinklebat at 11:03 AM on April 2, 2007
Regarding Pu'u 'O'o, please let me reiterate that the hike is quite long and is consists of rocky, jagged and unstable hardened lava flows. As they pretty much shove all of the warning signs down your throat (with good reason), you'll be aware of the dangers involved. Hiking boots are recommended, as well as plenty of fluids, nutritious/energizing snacks. The outside temperature when we visited in May 2006 was quite hot as well (obviously).
While we were there we saw several helicopters hovering over the new shelf being formed where the lava was spilling into the ocean, a helicopter tour may be a way to get the best view with just a tad less risk.
We only ventured as far as one of the rangers was headed. He wasn't leading a tour, just checking out the status of things himself. We figured that we'd go just as far as followed his footing, assuming he knew what he was doing.
posted by Asherah at 11:07 AM on April 2, 2007
While we were there we saw several helicopters hovering over the new shelf being formed where the lava was spilling into the ocean, a helicopter tour may be a way to get the best view with just a tad less risk.
We only ventured as far as one of the rangers was headed. He wasn't leading a tour, just checking out the status of things himself. We figured that we'd go just as far as followed his footing, assuming he knew what he was doing.
posted by Asherah at 11:07 AM on April 2, 2007
Asherah, I think the Pu'u 'O'o hike to which Johnny Assay is referring is different from the hike you describe. I think this is the one that Johnny means (though, of course, I could be mistaken).
My wife and I did the hike you talk about, but continuing all the way around the south side of the shelf, where the view was unobstructed by the steam plume. We left our room (at the Volcano Lodge) around 2 pm, and didn't get back until close to midnight--it's definitely an all day thing, not for the faint of heart, and not for anyone with any sort of health problems. Here's a link to our account of the entire Big Island trip; the relevant part is about 2/3rds of the way down.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:36 AM on April 2, 2007
My wife and I did the hike you talk about, but continuing all the way around the south side of the shelf, where the view was unobstructed by the steam plume. We left our room (at the Volcano Lodge) around 2 pm, and didn't get back until close to midnight--it's definitely an all day thing, not for the faint of heart, and not for anyone with any sort of health problems. Here's a link to our account of the entire Big Island trip; the relevant part is about 2/3rds of the way down.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:36 AM on April 2, 2007
That's cool that you can get up to the lava at Volcanoes again, last I'd heard it was literally inaccessible.
You have to go at night. In the bright sun, it just looks like smoldering rock, but at night, the orangey glow appears and it is really something cool. Can't believe in this day and age, you are allowed to get close enough to lava to do something really stupid but there you go.
So going at night brings an extra dimension of difficulty to the hike. Bring pants, sturdy boots, plenty of water, head lamps and expect that you will still fall onto razor sharp lava rock at least once.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:11 PM on April 2, 2007
You have to go at night. In the bright sun, it just looks like smoldering rock, but at night, the orangey glow appears and it is really something cool. Can't believe in this day and age, you are allowed to get close enough to lava to do something really stupid but there you go.
So going at night brings an extra dimension of difficulty to the hike. Bring pants, sturdy boots, plenty of water, head lamps and expect that you will still fall onto razor sharp lava rock at least once.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 12:11 PM on April 2, 2007
We did the Volcanoes National Park in 2004. The lava was a 3 hour (each way) hike from the trailhead. Bring flashlights for the walk home, water because its gets hot-hot-hot.
I tripped once (since I am a spaz, your milage may vary) and cut my hands up. Take things slowly, things can get slippery. Rocks move.
We hike a lot, and still grossly underestimate the distance to visible landmarks we were hiking to.
There was active lava flowing under us at a couple points. I could imagine something seriously bad happening in your luck was bad that day.
It was totally worth the trip though. We were able to get within feet of active lava. A helicopter trip migth have been interesting, but a completely different experience.
I would not have done the hike with my 60 year old relatives.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 2:31 PM on April 2, 2007
I tripped once (since I am a spaz, your milage may vary) and cut my hands up. Take things slowly, things can get slippery. Rocks move.
We hike a lot, and still grossly underestimate the distance to visible landmarks we were hiking to.
There was active lava flowing under us at a couple points. I could imagine something seriously bad happening in your luck was bad that day.
It was totally worth the trip though. We were able to get within feet of active lava. A helicopter trip migth have been interesting, but a completely different experience.
I would not have done the hike with my 60 year old relatives.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 2:31 PM on April 2, 2007
There was a discussion in the media here in Iceland just the other day about opening a lava park like the one in Hawaii. Apparently there are areas in Suðurnes (near the national airport) that are as impressive (or more, they claim) as the park in Hawaii. These guys might help you organize a trip to these sites.
posted by svenni at 4:48 PM on April 2, 2007
posted by svenni at 4:48 PM on April 2, 2007
Everyone has given great advice, but I would also stress the need for good boots, and protection for when you fall. Consider a pair of tough canvas work pants (double-layered Carhartt) and leather work gloves so that you minimize damage to your hands when you fall.
Finally, it is a crapshoot- you may or may not get to see the lava depending on a myriad of variables that are always changing.
Finally, I can strongly recommend dinner at Kilauea Lodge. Great chef, great menu, very nice atmosphere. One of the best restaurants on the Big Island, imo.
posted by gen at 6:30 PM on April 2, 2007
Finally, it is a crapshoot- you may or may not get to see the lava depending on a myriad of variables that are always changing.
Finally, I can strongly recommend dinner at Kilauea Lodge. Great chef, great menu, very nice atmosphere. One of the best restaurants on the Big Island, imo.
posted by gen at 6:30 PM on April 2, 2007
Go to Guatemala. Cheaper, and they let you frolic in it. No fences, no limits. I stood 4 feet from la 4-foot wide lava streamactually coming out of the mountain and walked across rocks-that looked-like-sheets-that-had-been ruffled, the soles of my thick rubber shoes becoming ever so slightly sticky.
Look for the history of volcano Pacaya on google. Acetenango is also cool.
posted by lalochezia at 1:04 PM on April 3, 2007
Look for the history of volcano Pacaya on google. Acetenango is also cool.
posted by lalochezia at 1:04 PM on April 3, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by entropy at 9:48 AM on April 2, 2007