25 Stunning Photos From National Geographic’s Nature Photographer Of the Year Contest

21. “Lava Ocean Entry”

“Lava ocean entry from the 2016 Kalapana lava flow on the Big Island of Hawaii. Watching new earth being formed is an amazing experience. Boiling ocean waves crashing into fresh lava & giving off clouds of steam along with scatter[ing] violent lava bursts from pressure release. Creation of the earth is mesmerizing & powerful sight to see.”