Moore Bettah
Up Close And Personal With Madame Pele
Lava from Kilauea volcano marches toward the sea in a spectacular pyrotechnic display as witnessed by these pictures I took on the evening of March 4th, 2008. The current flow broke out about 12 miles from our home, affording us the rare opportunity to see Pele at her creative best. Aside from the amazing sculptures being formed before our very eyes, what I also found interesting was the creaking and crunching sound the pahoehoe lava made as it advanced toward us at a rate of about one foot per minute. I was so close taking these pictures that I singed the hair on my forearms and legs. Truly a night I will never forget. Thank you Madame Pele!
The following arial shots were taken on a helicopter trip I was fortunate enough to take on the morning of March 25th, giving me a totally different perspective.
Gas plume from Pu' O'o vent.
The current lava flow from Halema'uma'u
Molten lava enters the sea at Kalapana
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