It was at this point that the harsh landscape of Lanzarote started to take its tole. I had set out on this hike in a pair of trainers and by the time we reached the slope of the volcano they were torn, soles flapping loose like a gutted lizard.

I love this line. People who have never visited lava flats may no realize how sharp the lava is. This line clearly spells out the danger which lava presents. Taking spill in a typical landscape can result in a few bruises or scratches, falling on lava rock could mean a trip to the ER for stitches.

I was nervous the whole time I was near an active volcano, I could smell the fumes and knew it could burp up enough gas to choke me out in a second and without warning.

Where I live in Oregon there are multiple active volcanoes. Though they haven't exploded in recent history, they are monitored and known to be shifting their mountain tops as magma ebbs and flows.

With the recent volcanic activity in Hawaii and Indonesia people are awakening to the dangers presented by volcanoes. It's another one of those things which preparing for makes a certain amount of sense. At least here in Oregon it does.

Thanks for this post. I really liked the pictures and descriptors.