Volcano lava

That looks uncomfortably close.

Beautiful but terrifying images

First world problems

Well the Kraffts are dead now.

I heard Andy Cohen spews lava from his hole when he runs out of coke.

How fast does lava flow?

[quote]Volcano lava

As opposed to swamp lava?

R6: "In general, lava flows slowly, with typical speeds of 0.25 mph (0.40 km/h) and maximum speeds of 6 to 30 mph (9.7 to 48.3 km/h) on steep slopes."

I've been to Hawaii, and got to see some lava in person! I took a couple of helicopter rides over a roiling lava lake in the crater, and followed the river of lava to the sea in the copter, and hung out at the coast where the lava trickled into the ocean, setting clouds of steam. This was not slow-moving, avera, "a'a" lava, this was a fast-moving liquid lava that moved as fast as water flowing downhill, but which burned or melted everything in its path. I do not have the vocabulary to express how beautiful, awe-inspiring, and overhwhelming fast-moving lava is in person, how thrilling yet terrifying. In person the heat hits you like a fist and there's a hot smell I can't describe, it's nature at her most powerful and indifferent to humanity.

The scientists who walk out to the rivers of lava and take samples are out of their fucking minds, some of them die in their volcanoes like the Krafts, but I can see why they do it.

Lava flow is mesmerizing.

Liquid fire.

Lava is as beautiful and mesmerizing as fire itself. It's not the main killer in volcanoes, though. That would be pyroclastic flows, which spread further and faster. They're not beautiful like lava flows; they're just hot, gray, fast-moving clouds of death and destruction. Mudflows - exactly what they sound like and caused by melting snow and ice - also kill many victims.

When it's possible to travel again, I recommend a visit to Mt St Helen National Volcanic Monument. It's the only place in the US where you can see the aftereffects of a Plinian eruption (the "Mt. Vesuvius destroys Pompeii" kind) of relatively recent vintage.

^^^ Thirty Helens agree that the park is Mount St HelenS National Volcanic Monument.

R7,

Now, now. So arch.

There are LOTS of torrens igneus. Liquefacta massa.

Lavas.

I have significant issues with bathroom lava when my blue-collar friends take a shower.

I've always wanted to visit Pompeii

Flowing lava.

This looks unreal

They are just like the cysts of the earth.

This is why Iceland is so high on my bucket list.

Awesome scenery, lovely people by all accounts, uncrowded and unspoiled, and LIVE VOLCANOES!!!

R17 that looks like something that happens after spicy Mexican food!

I believe Mt. Etna is erupting right now, if anyone wants to see some lava in person.

I think the two most conveniently located and least dangerous volcanoes in the world are Mount Etna in Italy, and Kiluaea in Hawaii. Both are near major airports, and both are inclined to produce lovely flowing lava rather than pyroclastic flows, lava bombs, or massive ash clouds. That said, no volcano is EVER safe, visit at your own risk. Like I have, it was totally worth it.

You flew OVER a lava lake? Is that even allowed? Weren't there toxic gases?