We wanted to see the elemental sight of lava entering the sea, so we boarded a small boat with a guide, and sped over extremely choppy seas toward the location.

We arrived at the scene at twilight, and the lava streams, explosively hitting the ocean, created a primeval glow in the clouds of billowing steam. It was unforgettable. There were even fireworks where explosions of molten rock occurred at the interface of hot lava and cool ocean.

This was among the most dramatic natural experiences of our lives, and was made even more unforgettable when the captain ran out of gas on the return trip. We bobbed violently in the dark ocean for two hours, waiting for the captain’s buddy to ferry some gas out to us.

LIMITED EDITION: This photographic print is part of a limited edition printed by photographer Lee Rentz. The edition consists of 250 prints, which includes all sizes and methods of printing.