REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco
Lava flows from the crater of Mount Mayon volcano during a new eruption in Legazpi city, Albay province, Philippines January 25, 2018.
- Geologists collect lava samples to understand the inner workings of volcanoes, and to help predict future eruptions.
- On Kīlauea, an active volcano in Hawaii, geologists look for areas where the lava is slowly moving on the surface.
- They approach upwind, wearing protective masks, gloves, and clothing, and use a pick-ax to pull the lava into a bucket of water.
- The lave can be up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After the lava cools and solidifies in the water, the geologists bag the samples to bring to their labs.