Kilauea Volcano

May 2025, ISO 200, F/8, 1/125s

About:

The Big Island of Hawaii is comprised of 5 volcanoes. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park contains 2 of the 5 volcanos within its border, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The 5 volcanoes are:

• Kohala (extinct)

• Mauna Kea (dormant) – largest mountain on earth when measured from the base

• Hualalai (active)

• Mauna Loa (active) – largest volcano on earth based on volume

• Kilauea (active) – one of the most active volcanoes in the world

Kilauea has been going thru periodic eruptions approximately every 7-10 days since Dec 23, 2024. As of the writing of the post (8/5/25), episode 30 will be erupting soon. This pattern of eruption allows a photographer to plan a volcanic eruption, how crazy is that? This current series of eruptions has been occurring within the crater of the volcano and viewing of eruptions is relatively safe, depending on the winds. There are numerous locations around the crater where you can view an eruption. The closest view point is about 1.1 miles from the vents. Note that eruptions last about 8-12 hours, the fountaining of lava stops ending an episode.

Photographing an eruption is still, all about the light. Pele will control when Kilauea is active but the times around sunrise and sunset provide the best light and will give you beautiful colors in your images. Expose for the highlights, otherwise you will lose a lot of the data within the lava, smoke and fountain.

Other Stuff:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most diverse parks in the entire National Park system. You go from sea-level to almost 14,000 ft (summit of Mauna Loa) and can view some of the driest desert areas to wet tropical rain forests all within the boundary of the park. Sights not to be missed are:

• Nahuku Lava Tube – A long cave created by flowing lava. Nice and cool in here. The surround area is a nice hike around a rain forest.

• Chain of Craters Road – Nice drive through the park where you can easily view the diversity

  • Pu’uloa Petroglyphs – short hike to a big archeological site with many petroglyphs. Best photo here are early or late in the day when sun is low.

  • Holei Sea Arch – Arch located in the water. The landscape here is very barren.

There are many beautiful trails to hike but I will not name here due to closures from eruptions or changing conditions in an area. This is a very dynamic park where conditions can change daily if not hourly. If interested in hiking check conditions when you arrive on island.

 Volcano House – A quaint hotel on the crater rim of Kilauea. Great place to stay. Allows you to get photos early or late in the day and without having to drive a long way to get back to your hotel. The restaurant at the Volcano House is excellent, I highly recommend dinner reservations AFTER sunset. Reason is, if there is lava in the crater and once it gets dark there is a beautiful orange glow that lights up the crater and some sky. A very beautiful and romantic setting.

Lastly, if you are ever on island and want the current conditions for eruption, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Off to another location!

 Dave

May 2025, ISO 400, f/8, 1/320s