Volcanicity

The ancient Hawaiians thought of the volcano as the manifestation of a goddess. Pele - the fire/volcano goddess - was a volatile, temperamental, yet irresistible woman, known for dramatic shifts in mood. She could be a raging, unpredictable, destructive force, but was also revered as a creator - of new land, and new life.


Over the past year, I have tried to seek Pele out, and she has rewarded my efforts by offering glimpses of her many moods and faces (the pictures below are a compilation from these encounters). As I have gotten to know Pele better, I have realized why the Hawaiians thought of her in the way that they did. I have also learned something that the Hawaiians do not seem to have stressed - that words and images do no justice to her beauty.

Cinder cone and lava field, Hale'akala

Cinder cones, Mauna Kea

Lava lake, Pu'u'o'o vent, Kilauea

Lava tube (aerial view), Kilauea

Into the Void, Hale'akala

Geothermal pool and travertine terraces, Yellowstone

Geyser runoff and thermal springs, Yellowstone

Volcanic olivine green sand, Mahana Beach