eruption

  • Dec
    2022
    06
    2022 / Dec / 06

    Mauna Loa Volcanic Eruption of 2022

    After 38 years of inactivity, Mauna Loa is now erupting on the Big Island of Hawaii.

    This is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Due to the massive size of Mauna Loa and the number of people that live on its slopes, it is fantastic that the flow isn’t devastating the island. Instead, we are witnessing a very beautiful event and one that is drawing a lot of attention.

    Without looking into it I would guess that hundreds of thousands of people have ventured out to see the lava. I’ve taken 4 trips up the mountain and every time there are hoards of people. What is normally a 45-minute drive is now over 1.5 hours. There is a steady line of traffic both ways from Saddle Road to Kona and until the lava severs the road I don’t think this will stop.

    Here are a few of the images I took while viewing from Mauna Kea. Enjoy!

    Prints are available on my Fine Art America store.

  • An island formed by the Puna lava flow
    Jul
    2018
    20
    2018 / Jul / 20

    Kapoho Island

    Photograph of the island that formed off of Kapoho from the Puna lava flow of 2018

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    During one week in July of 2018 an island formed off of Kapoho from the Puna lava flow. Shortly after this photograph the island attached to the land from the continuous lava. An example for how quickly this lava flow is changing.

    We were excited to go back up into the helicopter to see what has changed from the previous flight a month ago. That morning I learned of an island that had formed just off of the coast. Reports of violent explosions in the water eventually led to the presence of land erupting from the ocean. These eruptions caused havoc to a water tour boat a few days later when an unexpected explosion sent molten rock hurtling toward the boat and injured many passengers. I could only imagine how scary and helpless that would be. There is no telling what could happen next with this volcano.

    A very exciting time on the Big Island.

    © Christopher Johnson

  • Colorful design of the Pahoa lava river.
    Jul
    2018
    17
    2018 / Jul / 17

    Colors Of Lava

    Colors of the lava flowing in the volcanic river to Kapoho from fissure 8 in Pahoa.

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    Insane to witness the amazing colors of lava from the sky. This massive lava flow is slowly making its way to Pahoa. Beautiful and destructive. I love the oranges, reds, purples, and blues seen in this image.

    © Christopher Johnson

  • A view of the Kapoho lava ocean entry from a helicopter
    Jun
    2018
    14
    2018 / Jun / 14

    Kapoho Ocean Entry By Helicopter

    An aerial view of the lava entering the ocean and creating small explosions along the coastline of Kapoho Hawaii.

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    From the doors off helicopter of the Paradise Helicopter Tour I was able to shoot this unobstructed view of the lava as it enters the ocean along Kapoho. You can’t see it in this web version of the shot, but in the large printed file there is an explosion in the upper part of the image where the ocean collided with the hot lava that sent lava rock and particles flying rapidly in the air. I love this image because of the design quality of it like the diagonal line of the coastline parted by the smoke and ocean waves. There are hidden surprises throughout the shot like the explosion, and the red hot lava, as well as the ripples in the water. It’s just a raw look and feel of the energy that exists when these two natural forces meet.

    © Christopher Johnson