Returning from a night hike to see the lava flowing to the sea, we came across this stunning view. In the distance, the lava river flickers as it tumbles over a cliff into the sea, resulting in the plume of smoke drifting south across the ocean off the big island of Hawaii. The moon illuminates this unbelieveable view in all its glory. The ancient and the youngest both share this one-of-a-kind view! About 7 months later, the terrain seen in this photo was gone, as the entire shelf of newly formed lava fell into the sea. The big island lost 30 acres of newly formed land in a matter of days. This is all part of the cycle of the mountain (island) continually building itself, firmly securing its place as the tallest mountain on earth (when measured from the ocean base to the summit). Hawaii Volcano National Park, 2005.

Digital photo by Aaron Johnson