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The magnificent and record-breaking 48th eruption of Kilauea Volcano occurred on June 1, 2026, in Hawai'i (USA). I just so happened to pull into the parking lot a few minutes after the eruption began, and at that moment, vacation took on a whole new adventure. I can't describe in words just how delightful it was to watch lava spewing from the earth's surface into the air. The fountain was small when we arrived. Then, a roaring, rushing sound would come, and it would grow in height, peaking at about 650 feet. The higher it grew, the louder the roar. The center was a steady stream as the exterior wall of descending lava broke into pieces. As sparkling lava filled the world around and rained down in hot, molten globs, they burst on impact with the ground. The orange/red glow that encompassed the surrounding area was surreal. I love how the morning's darkness gave way for the volcano's brilliant colors to take center stage, and the wind brought its heat to warm our cheeks. I have learned one thing from this - a fountaining volcano of this size is one of Earth's best shows!
Credits
Photographer
Wolfgang Autexier
Category
International Photography - France Photography
Country / Region
France
Photographer
Surya Nikhil
Category
People Photography - Culture
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India
Photographer
Zixin Xiao
Category
Editorial Photography - Documentary
Country / Region
United Kingdom
Photographer
Kylo-Patrick Hart
Category
Black & White Photography - Fine Art
Country / Region
United States