The explosive power of the world's most active volcano

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Amazing & Intresting

Friday, 07 August 2009 00:00

A fiery spurt of lava explodes into the air as it reaches the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean from the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii.It is just one of the awe-inspiring images taken by photographer Brad Lewis, also simply known as the 'Volcano Man'. In another he snapped the pulsing Pu'u O'o lava lake, which captured the sense of incredible heat inside the furnace.The 50-year-old has put himself into many death defying situations to capture the natural beauty of one of nature's powerful phenomena.

The explosive power of the world's most active volcano

The explosive power of the world's most active volcano

And while the thought of getting up close to 2200 degrees (F) lava is enough to scare most people off the job, this photographer wouldn't have it any other way.'I get as close as I can without catching on fire or burning my skin,' explains the 50-year-old. 'If I stay upwind, I can get pretty close usually.The island of Hawaii is located over a 'hotspot' located in the middle of the massive Pacific tectonic plate. It is made up of five volcanoes. The youngest and most active in the world is Kilauea.Several hundred thousand cubic meters of lava gush from its vents and tubes almost every day.The American photographer does most of his work at dawn and dusk because he believes these times provide the best light.All the movement and texture can come together. I always study the situation before I shoot it so I can pre-visualise what I most want, and be in position to get it when the time is right,' he said.

The explosive power of the world's most active volcano

His vivid and detailed work has been of great assistance to the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, to whom he has donated his images for the past 20 years.Despite the obvious risks of his job, Mr Lewis insists he always plays it safe.My biggest concern is personal safety. I use a special respirator to protect my lungs from the poisonous fumes I am often exposed to,' he said.'I wear protective clothing, but not the silver heat-resistant suits that some volcanologists wear, because I want to know what kind of heat conditions I am in at all times.'But even the best equipment has a short life-span on the volcano as caustic fumes fry the electronics of camera gear.'

The explosive power of the world's most active volcano

Brad has lived with his wife Annabelle, 50, and daughter Heather, 13, on the Big Island of Hawaii for the past 26 years.'Anytime I am on the volcano, there is more danger than if I stayed at home. But I never feel that I am taking chances or gambling my safety,' he said.'If my little voice inside tells me that I am in danger, I leave. It's as simple as that.'It is great fun being a volcano photographer, but more fun being a father and husband. I am not going to risk that.'

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The explosive power of the world's most active volcano
A fiery spurt of lava explodes into the air as it reaches the salty waters of the Pacific Ocean from the...