Into the Volcano: A Volcano Researcher at Work

Into the Volcano: A Volcano Researcher at Work — page 7
At one end of Kupaianaha lava lake we could see the tube into which lava gushed as it drained from the lake Helicopters take volcano hunters where the action is This one approaches a smoking crater It’s similar to the one we took to see the lava lake only our chopper didn’t have doors The chopper whirled down to the edge of the sizzling lake Hot glowing rock oozed from the earth like toothpaste out of a cracked tube The helicopter cabin got hotter and a burnt metal smell filled the air Our pilot expertly dodged chunks of spatter the volcano flung at us We landed on the ground with a soft thump Steve and the pilot jumped out and ducked the rotors leaving the engine running for a fast getaway I thought about the gasoline in the engine near this heat I watched as Steve walked right up to the creeping lava flow and survived The scientist in me said Hey isn’t this what you went back to school for The artist in me had to admit the lake was strangely beautiful Glowing pinkish orange lava was creeping along hissing and popping as if it were alive This was the opportunity I had been waiting for my whole life I grabbed my camera and jumped out of the chopper I felt heat through the soles of my sneakers I changed lenses and started shooting 12