The 61G lava Ocean Entry event happening on Hawaii’s Big Island has been in the news a lot lately. If you somehow haven’t yet seen the dramatic footage of red-hot lava spewing from the side of a cliff, well, you’re in for a treat. But as enticing as it might be to onlookers and photographers trying to get a better view, mother nature just provided a gentle reminder why you should stay a safe distance away.
See also: exhibit B. It may seem obvious that the edge of a cliff next to a lava ‘firehose’ as it’s called is nowhere for a tripod, but not everyone seems to get that. A park official tells ABC News that she sees people crossing boundaries from designated viewing areas to unsafe zones every day. Geologists are monitoring the area daily for signs of trouble, but the most recent collapse occurred without warning.
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| Photo courtesy USGS. The image above shows the cliff pre-collapse. |
Consider this your daily reminder to obey posted signs in natural areas and to get your shot from a designated viewing area – lava or no lava.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)