Enter the National Park System and you won’t come away disappointed when you realize all that awaits you. At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it’s impossible not to be awed by the volcanism that created the Hawaiian islands, and which is on full display at the crater atop the Kīlauea volcano.

Really, when you think about it, there are few places on Earth where you can safely gaze upon the planet’s molten core as it seeps and bursts in spectacular, glowing red fountains of liquid rock through the crust.

Jessica Ferracane, the park’s public affairs specialist, gave me a primer on Kīlauea during an early November visit. Her broad knowledge of the park and its two volcanoes and enthusiasm in discussing all things Hawaii Volcanoes National Park quickly came across. From the back porch of the Volcano House Hotel across from the crater she gave us an overview of Kilauea and its recent volcanic behavior.