Watch: What happened when a bird flew straight into a volcanic eruption

High above a burst of molten lava, a lone seabird glides silently through the smoky Hawaiian sky. Underneath it, glowing fountains of lava shoot up from the Earth. Violent power of the volcano, meet the serene beauty of a bird in flight.This incredible scene was captured in a video posted by @tomkualiiphotography on Instagram. In the video, a Koaʻe Kea bird flies right over an active lava fountain during a volcanic eruption in Hawaiʻi. The white color and the bird’s long tail feathers are a treat for the eyes. The bird appears luminous as it passes over the glowing eruption.

The white-tailed tropicbird, which is locally known as the Koaʻe Kea in the Hawaiian Islands, is an attractive seabird that can be identified by its narrow wings and its long tail feathers that it carries behind it as it flies through the air.

These birds can be seen spending most of their time flying over the vast Pacific Ocean, which they traverse over great distances before landing on cliffs and islands.Before we get busy with concerns over the wellbeing of the majestic bird, as extraordinary as the visual might seem, it’s important to note that wildlife in the Hawaiian Islands has long adapted to landscapes shaped by volcanic activity. Species have over the years found ways to live with an environment that has natural eruptions, lava flows, and changes in the terrain.

What is a lava fountain?

The eruption itself produced what scientists call a lava fountain, one of the most spectacular forms of volcanic activity. A lava fountain is where gas bubbles in the rising magma are suddenly released in a volcanic vent in a violent explosion. Pressure builds up beneath the surface, and molten rock is shot up in brilliant orange streams, sometimes as high as hundreds of metres in one of the greatest displays of nature.Such eruptions are frequently associated with Kīlauea, among the most active volcanoes on Earth. Situated in the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the volcano has significantly contributed to the formation of Hawaiian geography, as it is constantly in the process of adding land as the lava cools and solidifies.

Though volcanic explosions are a demonstration of the dynamic nature of the Earth, they are also essential for the rejuvenation of the ecosystem. In the long run, plants start to grow on the cooled lava plains, and birds start flying in the skies once again. The image of the Koaʻe Kea gliding calmly above a fountain of molten rock captures this delicate balance, a sight so beautiful, it has captured every wildlife lover’s interest.

In a landscape forged by fire, life continues to move forward, sometimes in the quiet, effortless flight of a seabird soaring above the flames.