Exploring the elements at volcanic sites: Earth| Water| Fire| Air
Earth
Mt. St. Helens, [Official Entry for ‘Earth’]
It is amazing what volcanoes can do to the earth. It can change the lay of the land. It can create vast stretches of ‘devastated’ areas and it can give rise to really handsome looking landforms. It can petrify trees and carve out beds for lakes. I’m filled with awe every time I visit volcanic sites.
Mt. Hood
Water
It is fascinating to see geo-thermal energy heat up underground water and throw it up into the surface of the earth, sometimes to great heights. Here are pictures of a Geyser in Napa, California and a Mud Pot in Mineral, California.
Old Faithful Geyser of California in Calistoga, CA [official entry for WATER]Mud Pot at Lassen Volcanic National park, also in CA.
If you look at the Mud Pot carefully, you can see some bubbles. And that is proof that the water in the puddle is boiling hot. Both, the geyser and Mud Pot let out a lot of steam into the air but I have another entry for ‘Air.’
Air
This is a picture from Kilauea in Hawaii. It was an experience of a kind — watching one of the most active volcanoes spew hot volcanic gas into the air. And it was my first volcano tour, so you can imagine how exciting it must have been to be at the many volcanic sites at Volcanoes National Park in Big Island, HI.
Gas and steam at the Halema’uma’u crater in the Kilauea Caldera at Volcanoes National Park on Big Island, HI. [Official entry for AIR]
Fire – Hot liquid fire
The next picture is that of a painting of ‘Pele’ that I happened to see while I was visiting Jaggar museum on Crater Rim Drive in Volcanoes National Park, HI. I was so allured by it . I stood looking at it for awhile and I decided I just had to bring back a picture of it; just to admire it every now and then.
Let me also tell you that volcanoes are looked at with fear and reverence in Hawaii, which has had a long history with Volcanoes.
One of the most dramatic spirits of the Hawaiian pantheon is Pele, goddess of volcanoes. Ancient traditions about her reveal an impetuous, lusty nature, at times gentle and loving but always jealous and unpredictable, capable of sudden fury and great violence.
– Herb Kane, Artist, Historian, Author.
Pele – by Herb(ert) Kane [Official entry for FIRE]
Explore the Elements – the travel Photo-blogging Challenge is an initiative by Thomas Cook. The idea is to put up a post with travel pictures that best portray the elements.
A big Thank You to Sangeeta of Life is a Vacation for nominating me for the challenge.
Thank you Indrani. Yes, I did. I thought you might like do this one. 🙂 You don't 'have to' do it. 🙂 Totally — your wish. I won't be offended if you don't participate. 🙂
Thank you so much, Ram. I have been to the above places and am desperate to see more places like this. I still haven't been to a place you have been to — Yellowstone (yeah, I remember your posts :)) and it is high on my list.
That one is one of my favourite pictures of a picture. 🙂 Thank you so much, Madhu. All the best to you too. Btw, it is so nice to see you here. Welcome to Tipsy from the Trip. 🙂
Thank you Prasad. Your pics are amazing too. Me too — love the picture of the Volcano Goddess. I can stare at it hours together. I love those colours and the cooled (black) rock that is made to look like hair.
Yeah, that was what I thought too. Back in the days when there weren't a lot of answers, people just had to pray to and try to please Nature, right?
Amazing pictures! Loved them!
Thank you Archana.
Welcome to Tipsy from the Trip. 🙂
Great pics for the theme. 🙂
And you tagged me? 🙁 Usually I don't do tags and then let me see for this one. 🙂
Thank you Indrani.
Yes, I did. I thought you might like do this one. 🙂
You don't 'have to' do it. 🙂 Totally — your wish. I won't be offended if you don't participate. 🙂
Wonderful images, Nambiare. Good luck! Let me start digging. 🙂
Thank you, Nomad.
Thank you. And all the best to you too.
Happy digging. 🙂
Wonderful… esp the Earth one…
Thanks for nominating… will publish soon…
Thank you.
And you're welcome. I was pretty sure you would like to do this one. All the best, J.
Oh, and I'm so sorry about the fb messages. Only bits and parts were getting to you; I was having a connection issue.
Lovely ! and thanks for tagging me.
I will surely participating in this. Thanks again !
Thank you. And you're welcome, Vijay.
Have fun doing this one.
Isn't that a great topic?!
Thats amazing and i feel the thrill right here passed to me 🙂 superb! Must be an amazing experience.
It always is when they are places like this. I'm so glad, Shweta. 🙂
Btw, I love your Rome pictures!
Wonderful selection!
Best wishes!!
Thank you, Magiceye. 🙂
I am sure these must have been life time experiences, Divya! Best of luck for the contest!
They were. And I haven't had enough of places like this.
Thank you so much, Mr. Bhatia. 🙂
Breathtakingly beautiful, Divya!
Amit — long, long time!
Thank you so much. 🙂
Marvelous pics of incredible events. Have you visited all these places Divya. You are really blessed !
Thank you so much, Ram. I have been to the above places and am desperate to see more places like this. I still haven't been to a place you have been to — Yellowstone (yeah, I remember your posts :)) and it is high on my list.
Thanks again.
Amazing photos 🙂 You seem to have witnessed so much beauty of the elements 🙂
Thank you Teny.
I love trips to places like this. They fascinate me no end.
Thank you for visiting.
awesome 🙂
Thank you, Joshi. 🙂
Love your entry for fire…truly dramatic! Good luck Divya!
That one is one of my favourite pictures of a picture. 🙂
Thank you so much, Madhu. All the best to you too.
Btw, it is so nice to see you here. Welcome to Tipsy from the Trip. 🙂
These are some amazing pictures.. I love the Fire Goddess picture and the concept itself is so similar to gods representing Nature in Hinduism
Thank you Prasad. Your pics are amazing too.
Me too — love the picture of the Volcano Goddess. I can stare at it hours together. I love those colours and the cooled (black) rock that is made to look like hair.
Yeah, that was what I thought too. Back in the days when there weren't a lot of answers, people just had to pray to and try to please Nature, right?
Wow! Lovely pics 🙂
Great experience!
Thank you, Anita. 🙂
Lol, love the energy of nature. When I visited Big Island many years ago I offered some of my hair to Pele 🙂
You did? That's so nice. I'm sure that makes a great memory.
And Pele sounds like such a gorgeous figure of the Hawaiian culture.
Captivating pictures, loved all of them, particularly entry for Fire 🙂
All the very best
Thank you, Charu.
I love that painting of the Volcano goddess.
Thank you so much for the wishes. The challenges was more attractive than the contest itself 😉