Halemaumau Crater, active lava lake in Kilauea caldera, Pele home. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii, USA.

Halema'uma'u Crater is an active pit crater containing a steaming lava lake, within the much larger summit caldera of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, Hawaii, USA. With its name meaning "house of the ferns," Halemaumau is home to Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes according to Hawaiian mythology. Established in 1916 and later expanded, the park (HVNP) encompasses two active volcanoes: Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive shield volcano. The park portrays the birth of the Hawaiian Islands with dramatic volcanic landscapes, native flora and fauna, and glowing flowing lava. HVNP is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.

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Filename: 1701HAW-2824.jpg
Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 5472x3648 / 5.1MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; energy geothermal nature night volcano
Contained in galleries: 2017 Jan 16-Feb 6: Hawaii: Oahu, Kauai, Big Island, Hawaii: Big Island

Halema'uma'u Crater is an active pit crater containing a steaming lava lake, within the much larger summit caldera of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, Hawaii, USA. With its name meaning "house of the ferns," Halemaumau is home to Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes according to Hawaiian mythology. Established in 1916 and later expanded, the park (HVNP) encompasses two active volcanoes: Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive shield volcano. The park portrays the birth of the Hawaiian Islands with dramatic volcanic landscapes, native flora and fauna, and glowing flowing lava. HVNP is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.