Lava Flow, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA
Few places on Earth demonstrate the dynamics of land formation as clearly and dramatically as the “Big Island” of Hawaii. Here the continual island-building process through time has created Mauna Loa, from base to summit the largest volcano on Earth, and Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano. At sea level, the building process is an amazing sight to witness as 1,250°Celsius (2,200°Fahrenheit) magma escapes from the Earth’s interior, flows to the ocean’s edge, and quickly solidifies upon falling into the tumultuous waters of the seas. The superheated lava often explodes on entering the cool ocean waters.