A popular area for viewing lava flows in Hawaii collapsed into the ocean. The collapse of the lava delta at the Kamokuna ocean entry on New Years' Eve produced a large plume of steam, gas and ash.
Like Bowser's castle in "Super Mario," lava is ever present in Hawaii. One goal in "Super Mario" is to prevent a fall into the lava. This is also true in real life in Hawaii.
In real life in Hawaii, there is an additional danger unlike in the game where Mario risks falling into the lava. People can fall off a cliff into the ocean below. More unexpectedly, the whole cliff itself could collapse into the ocean, taking people with it.
This danger became apparent in the lava viewing area at Kamokuna ocean entry in Hawaii on New Years' Eve. According to local news website Hawaii News Now, a 22-acre chunk of the lava delta crashed into the sea.
Technology news website Gizmodo reported that a cliffside viewing area was eroded by waves generated by the collapse of a portion of the lava delta into the ocean. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was forced to close the popular Kamokuna ocean entry over the weekend.
A new lava viewing area was roped off the Monday after. Authorities hoped to have it open again for lava watching as soon as possible. Rangers on duty on New Years' Day witnessed that the former viewing area had completely disappeared. Continuous loud cracking noises that sounded ominous were heard all around the area.
Despite the obvious danger, the view of the lava was still breathtaking. John Tarson, the owner of Epic Lava Tours described it as absolutely stunning.
According to the National Park Service, before Kamokuna lava viewing area was reopened, at around 7 p.m. on New Years' Eve, five visitors were nearly killed when the section of cliff they were standing on collapsed into the ocean 15 minutes after they had left their spot. The five had ducked beneath a white rope closure line and headed for the coastal cliffs. They turned back after Eruption Crew Ranger Travis Delimont and a co-worker chased after them.
When watching lava flows, it's best to remember the dangers of Bowser's castle. Avoiding death in real life is an example everyone can follow from Super Mario.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
