Steam Rises as Lava Enters Ocean Near Hawaii's MacKenzie State Park

Several roads were closed and residents were alerted of possible evacuations due to continued volcanic activity on Hawaii’s Big Island on May 21.

That day, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that “eruptive lava activity at multiple fissures” was continuing, “with one flow entering the ocean,” according to a message from the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency. Lava from Fissure 22, which was continuing to feed most of the lava flows, had crossed onto the Puna Geothermal Venture property, and officials were monitoring the situation “to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities,” the civil defense said.

The video, shot by Andrew Richard Hara, shows white stream rising from the where lava met the Pacific Ocean.

“We approached the lava ocean entry from Hilo and traced the edges of the temporary flight restriction (for all aircraft and drones) to document the surrounding areas and neighbourhoods of the entry on the east and northern sides of the plume,” Hara told Storyful. Credit: Andrew Hara via Storyful