Its the 25th Anniversary of Kilauea Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii

December 23, 2008

Kilauea Volcano, located on the Big Island of Hawai’i, is noted extensively in Polynesian legends as Hawai’i’s most active volcano.  Shortly after midnight on January 3, 1983 lava was once again
sighted, this time near the Napau Crater of Mauna Loa, ensuring the legend would live on.

Kilauea is considered to be the present home of Pele, the volcano goddess of ancient Hawai’ian legend. Several special lava formations are named after her, including Pele’s Tears (small droplets of lava that cool in the air and retain their teardrop shapes) and Pele’s Hair (thin, brittle strands of volcanic glass that often form during the explosions that accompany a lava flow as it enters the ocean).

People have claimed to see Pele while traveling on Saddle Road (a road that connects the East and West side of the islands). Legend says that if you take lava from Peles home you will be cursed. Hawaii Park Rangers receive numerous lava rocks mailed back to them each year from guilty visitors that have become believers.

This latest eruption was the beginning of the worlds longest continuous volcanic eruption giving us a rare glimpse at natures incredible force and beauty.

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