A photo essay of the incredible experience capturing lava flows from Kilauea volcano, into the sunset and eventual darkness on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Looking out over the horizon, all we could see was a grey landscape. The sky was dark and gloomy, the lava had left behind a sterile barren landscape with no soil, devoid of life. The scene was unreal, like a post-apocalyptic movie. We were following the active lava flows by walking over molten rocks that had crystallized. With each step forward, we could hear the crunch under our feet, grinding the surface like a mortar and pestle that shaved away the soles of our shoes. A slip here would cut our hands and embed fine glass particles. We also needed to choose our route carefully as recently cooled magma could give way.

After the dark rain clouds departed, the sky opened up. The sun’s rays crept through and breathed life into this extra-terrestrial landscape. The sterile, crystallized surface we had been walking on transformed as the light hit the surface and diffused in all directions. The landscape didn’t feel so dark all of a sudden, we could spot the first plants and pioneering species to emerge to regenerate the land.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, we walked by torchlight until we could finally see the glow of lava in the distance. I was blown away by the contrast of the hot molten lava, escaping from deep within the earth’s crust against the dark sky. Up close we could feel the heat on our skin and smell the distinctive odour of sulphur and hot metal. This was a humbling, awe-inspiring experience that reminded me we’re all part of something immense.
Year: 2012