Kilauea: Mountain of Fire — 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 filmmak... more »ers 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.
At the end of its journey, the lava meets the ocean. Braving an extremely hot sea, filmmakers record the birth of new land. 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.
Bonus Program: Violent Hawaii
Imagine a lost world with lava flowing down mountainsides, violent storms, monster waves, rockslides and even heavy snows. But this isn t a scene from a science fiction novel. This is Hawaii, whose spectacular beauty was forged in fire, and created by turbulent natural forces. Breathtaking high-definition photography captures a side of Hawaii that tourists rarely see. Accompany geologists as they study active volcanoes at close range. Explore a stretch of coastline on the north shore of Maui where waves can rise to as much as 70 feet. Experience a blizzard at the summit of Mauna Kea. Venture into the Hawaiian Islands deep, warm water, which serves as a protective nursery for thousands of humpback whales. James Naughton narrates this riveting program that reveals how the most brutal forces of the natural world created a tropical paradise.« less