A mysterious, island volcano spews dazzling blue lava. It doesn’t sound real, but you want to see for yourself. Its name is Kawah Ijen, and it’s found on the island of Java between the Pacific and Indian oceans. T e island has more than 100 volcanoes! To see the lava, you’ll need sturdy hiking


boots. T e trail to the top is steep. And pack a flashlight. If you want to see blue lava, you need to travel at night. Don’t worry, though. You won’t be alone.


T ere are others who are interested in this volcano, too. You’ll meet a geologist who worries about the safety of the people nearby. You’ll meet a volcanologist who studies the volcano’s lake. And you’ll meet the local people who mine the volcano.


Climbing Up You start your climb on a well-worn pathway. It twists and turns through the forest at the base of the volcano. Here, it is green and lush. Soon, you meet up with John Pallister. Pallister knows this path well. He’s a geologist, a scientist who studies the way Earth changes over time. Pallister has worked many years with


scientists in Java to study volcanoes. He will hike with you and tell you more about the volcano as you climb. Kawah Ijen, like many other volcanoes,


starts deep inside Earth. Under Earth’s thin crust lies the mantle. T is is a layer of superheated rock. It’s so hot, it’s partly melted. T e melted rock is called magma.


The mysterious blue lava flows like a river at Kawah Ijen.


12 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


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