1982 Lava Flow

In this picture, I am standing on a lava flow from 1982 inside the Caldera. This is the most recent lava flow inside the Caldera. Before this, there was one in 1974.

Our tour guide/bus driver was at the Caldera when the last two eruptions occurred. He told us that in 1982, two buses were very close to the site of the eruption but, thankfully, were able to get away without anyone being injured.

We were warned to be careful if we visited a site where there is an active flow (which my wife and I did not). When lava turns black that does not mean it is cool. Black lava can still be up to 260C or 500F! Warnings from the Park Rangers at Volcanoes National Park are to be taken seriously.

Even walking on old lava as I did, you need to be careful. The lava flow is jagged, and if you fall, you could suffer some bad cuts.