Kilauea continually molds Hawaii’s Big Island. Creating new land, shaping ancient forests and carving tunnels through the earth, the volcano fascinates a dedicated group of scientists and filmmakers who follow its every action. Using innovative new imaging technologies to map the magma chamber, following the lava’s heat along its journey underground, and listening to the constant noises of its movements, geologists map the shifting liquid earth as they work to understand its awesome force.
Ejecting fire, molten rock, giant boulders and poisonous gases, the volcano can be a hazard for researchers, homeowners, plants and animals, but it doesn’t just leave destruction in its wake. Twists and turns in the lava’s flow leave some patches of original ecosystems, called kipukas, undisturbed. These oases of life provide a haven to many rare creatures — including the Hawaiian state bird, the Nene — but remain in constant danger from the volcano and from invasive species. Below the surface, inactive lava tubes provide homes for many unique species of darkness-loving creatures called troglobites.
At the end of its journey, the lava meets the ocean. Braving an extremely hot sea, filmmakers record the birth of new land and the incredible phenomenon of pillow lava – a bizarre and truly magical sight to behold.
Violent and beautiful, destructive and creative, Kilauea: Mountain of Fire explores the incredible power of the volcano and the challenges of life in its shadow.
Kilauea: Mountain of Fire premieres Sunday, March 29 on PBS.
who is the guy in the episode that lives alone in the last home near the lava flows? He was really interesting…
As beautiful as the program was, I have a couple of questions… to the taxpayer-funded PBS, and the viewers. 1. Looking at the absolute glory of 2000deg magma being introduced into 80deg seawater(in one day), do you realize that what is released is CARBON DIOXIDE!!! MORE than 10,000,000(YES, TEN MILLION) cars could release in ONE day(or a Coal plant in 10 years)! Who are you going to TAX to pay for that? Hawaii residents?!?! NO!!! 2. Who is paying for these “expeditions” that on one day, is “demonizing” CO2, and the next day, glorifying it…? THE TAXPAYERS!!! Hoe is it that “global warming” has been proven on MARS(shrinking of polar caps), and we only have TWO S.U.V.’S on it? Oh yes, they are SOLAR POWERED TOO!!!!! You guys need to grow up and look at reality! The “New Green(environmentalism)”, is the “Old RED(Communism)”! Being SO “insightful”, and “compassionate”,,, I hope to gain some true insight! Before you chastise me and berate me, think about it, PLEASE! I am ALL ABOUT our planet, but this is getting VERY ridiculous!
I watched the program last night (Comcast On-Demand). I’d give the science an A, the photography a B (no life jackets worn at sea?), and the narration a D. Too pretentious a script, too dramatic a voicing of it.
My remarks is to show that the show is fixed..
To many things the other HG do or should I say do not do to win HOH, VETOS.
Wow, what a brilliant show thanks PBS! I really wanted the show to continue even if the 1st presidential debate was coming up next! Amazingly beautiful and grateful to the courageous people that made this possible for us to view it first hand, especially when the pillow lava was evolving!!! Simply brilliant!!