What is going on here you may ask and why is this coconut tree almost encased in this bed of lava rock. It actually is a coconut tree that was not completely burned out by lava that recently ran above ground very close to the ocean entry where lava has been spilling out for the last 20 plus years, up until recently the lava has just started to flow above ground and into virgin forest lands close to the ocean in Kalapana, East Hawaii.
Sadly, a small portion of this beautiful virgin forest was over run with hot lava not even a few weeks old. Being immune to this type of daily activity, I decided to take a hike to this wilder part of the island and was surprised to discover so much destruction, amazing cliffs and vistas, lava and also a new beach completely born out of this lava eruption.
Here below, is the new beach that just recently developed, its is called Kawaaloa, when lava enters the cold water, it shatters immediately causing fine crystals to wash up on the cliffs and in the shallower areas creates an entirely new black sand beach….just amazing to see!
As I wait patiently for the sun to set, beautiful cloud formations and colorful hues echo the suns retreat and paint the skies vivid and glowing tropical colors.
It is hard to imagine that just a few yards away from this pristine and untouched forest is the wretched path of lava pouring down lava tubes and above ground to finally enter the cool Pacific waters. I stayed until the night stars came out and a real firework show started from Pele’s volcanic fury.
I’ll show you in an upcoming posts, that despite these harsh and scary conditions, people actually live very close to this area. Crazy you may think, but having an affordable slice of paradise is what draws a few out to live here.
For more views of the sky this friday, go visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/
To see other photohunt’s theme for natural go visit http://tnchick.com/
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