Most people are familiar with the expression, “If you play with fire, you might get burned.” Well, the same goes for scalding lava, and we really hope the guy in the video above gets the memo.
Last August, Hawaii-based photographer Kawika Singson was filming the lava flowing from Kilauea volcano into the ocean off the coast of the Big Island when a different type of spectacle crossed his lens.
Singson, a nature photographer who’s famous for getting extremely close to lava himself, filmed a Hawaii man swimming in the surf near the lava’s entry point. As seen in the video above, the swimmer appeared to be taking photos of the steaming lava as it poured into the sea.
Singson uploaded footage of the daring man to his YouTube channel last week, and, unsurprisingly, Singson’s fans were shocked.
“It’s extremely dangerous, [but] we’ve been living on this volcanic island since we were kids,” Singson told The Huffington Post, referring to himself and the swimmer in the video, which he asked not be named to protect his identity. “If you look through my pictures and videos, you’ll see that I’m no stranger to lava and its inherent dangers.”
“But, no,” Singson added. “I absolutely do not recommend anyone do this!”
It is here that we’ll remind you of the obvious: Do NOT try this at home, in Hawaii or anywhere ever.
Lava, as you may already know, is hot. We’re talking about a fluid substance that can reach an estimated 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Factor in Hawaii’s rough and unpredictable surf, which could have thrown the swimmer into the molten lava at any time, and you have yourself one of the most dangerous situations nature can conjure.
Even worse, the mixture of lava and seawater creates a dangerous scorching steam and volcanic glass.
“It’s super-heated steam laced with hydrochloric acid from the interaction with the seawater and has shards of volcanic glass,” U.S. Geological Survey scientist Janet Babb told The San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s something to be avoided.”
And if you’re still underestimating the risks that swimmer took, consider this: Just a month ago near that area, 26 acres of a seaside lava delta, including an area reserved for lava viewing, collapsed into the ocean without warning.
Those same flows of lava began pouring into the ocean off the southeastern coast of the Big Island in July, marking the first lava ocean entry the island has seen since 2013.
So, yeah. Don’t swim near the lava flow.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.