| Volcano eruptions are becoming increasingly rare. | | | | surface, forming a river of lava." This sight can be |
| That's because very few active volcanoes still exist. | | | | seen firsthand during numerous tours available each |
| In fact, according to the Global Volcanism Program, | | | | day at the park. |
| only 50 to 70 volcanoes erupt worldwide every year. | | | | The Crater Rim Drive is a one- to three-hour tour |
| That means being able to witness an active volcano - | | | | taken by car with intermittent short walks |
| especially one that frequently erupts - can be a | | | | throughout. Stretching 11 miles, you'll travel a |
| once-in-a-lifetime experience. For those lucky enough | | | | well-marked route with scenic stops along the way. If |
| to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, you may become | | | | you have more time, you may want to take the |
| one of the privileged few who get to view this | | | | four- to five-hour tour and explore the coastal areas. |
| amazing site. | | | | This 20-mile route descends 3,700 feet. For those |
| On the Big Island, inside Hawaii Volcanoes National | | | | who prefer to walk, an abundance of trails lend |
| Park, you'll find Kilauea, proclaimed to be the most | | | | themselves to day hikes and wilderness hikes where |
| active volcano in the world. Although documented | | | | visitors can often view active lava flows. |
| through chants and songs in ancient Hawaiian history, | | | | Cruise ships sailing between the Hawaiian Islands, |
| the first record of Kilauea is that of missionary Rev. | | | | including those from Norwegian Cruise Lines, make a |
| William Ellis who saw the summit in 1823. At almost | | | | point to conduct night tours, so passengers can get |
| 4,200 feet above sea level, Kilauea has erupted over | | | | front-row seats for the spectacular show. The brilliant |
| 60 times in its recorded history with its most recent | | | | colors of orange, red and yellow churn as billowing |
| eruption to date on July 21, 2007. | | | | smoke rises each time lava pours into the ocean |
| While most people are conditioned to think of | | | | below. Much more visible at night, Kilauea is quite a |
| volcanic eruptions as a violent, erratic explosion that | | | | spectacle and always a highlight of any cruise. |
| projects gallons of liquid lava wildly into the air, this is | | | | Whether you choose to tour Hawaii's most active |
| rarely the case. While nonetheless intriguing, eruptions | | | | volcano by land, sea or both, you're sure to find it a |
| at Kilauea are more of a slow spewing of thick, | | | | thrilling experience you won't soon forget. Considering |
| red-hot lava that mixes and melds with dried, black | | | | most people won't have the opportunity to visit a |
| lava rock as it persistently carves out a new path. | | | | live volcano, you can consider yourself an honored |
| According to the National Park Service, "Activity on | | | | guest of the Islands who has witnessed a positively |
| Kilauea continues as magma vigorously pushes to the | | | | astonishing act of nature. |