Picture a volcano spewing a river of molten lava burning so hot that it burrows its way through the Earth, moving so fast that a human couldn’t outrun it. That’s what happened on the Big Island of Hawaii at what is now Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The lava flow from the Kilauea volcano left behind massive lava tubes as evidence of its destructive path, scientists say.
While the Hawaiian Islands were created by 70 million years of volcanic activity that continues today, the lava tubes were created only about 500 years ago, they say.
In honor of the National Park Service’s centennial celebration this year, which is also the park’s 100th anniversary, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is giving a few visitors the chance to take a guided tour of one pristine tube called Puapo’o.
The 4-mile hike to Puapo’o, which includes a 500-foot elevation change, takes some physical strength. Visitors are required to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and are outfitted with gloves, hard hats and headlamps. A flashlight is also helpful, because it’s pitch black inside the cave.
After climbing down to the opening, the entrance is obscured by flora. Large chunks of fallen lava create the rocky path that visitors must find their way over and around throughout the mile-long journey.
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I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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