Kilauea Eruption - Episode 52

As previously mentioned, Kilauea is currently erupting every 2-3 weeks for about half a day. The volcano is monitored with extensive technology and personnel, and thus there is a forecast for when the next eruption - Episode 52 - is expected... in this case, 2 days after our departure. The male M is bound to his commitments with his employer and must go home to save the world from there. However, the female Ms vacation will last a while longer, so we part ways to allow at least one to have a chance to see the eruption.

The forecast gets pushed back several times, and so the female M wanders around the volcano day by day waiting... finally, on July 28th, the morning view from the webcam shows lava splashes... early in the morning, M drives up to the volcano and at this time has no problem getting to the preferred parking spot (later it gets crowded and subsequently closed - those who come late are penalized by the national park service) and securing a good observation place. 2 hours later, the next forecast comes out and says 'Between the 28th and the 30th.'

The story unfolds slowly - lava becomes visible, flowing out of a hole at one point, later forming a small bubbling lava mound... only at dusk and then in darkness does the actual eruption come, with a lava fountain reaching a maximum height of 140m. In a short time, almost 4000 images (and a few film sequences) are created, but this is merely an insufficient reflection of reality with smells, warmth, noise, and illuminated night - the female M is utterly exhausted and above all happy in the end...