our matt gutman was there after the eruption of kilauea. >> it is literally creating new topography,ere cows used to munch on cane grass. >> reporter: we fly over those rivers of lava. you could feel the heat being generated from 2,000 feet above. the eruptions in kilauea impacted local tourism but also the lives of residents in the surrounding area. she's lost grazing area for her horses. >> maybe there is life after the eruption. >> this is life. this is the life's energy right here. >> reporter: regeneration of the earth. >> in another year or two, you'll see trees popping out of here. >> reporter: not all volcanos are the same. each have their own personality. >> they all have their own settings, history and chemistry of the lava that comes out. so each one is very unique and distinct. >> okay, heading over. over. i'll go over just towards the edge here and have a look. >> reporter: studying the earth up close is what these scientists gle scientists dream of. >> it's completely kovd covered new lava. >> we'll have to watch out. >> reporter: as soeen here in this nat geo special,

we were in hawaii during the jarring kilauea volcano eruptions in 2018 facing fountains of lava and magmahas been gushing lava into the air for three consecutive days. >> reporter: accompanying that molten lava clouds of toxic fumes. and we saw the dangers of volcano tourism there as well. a so-called lava bomb from that eruption smashing through a sightseeing boat's roof injuring two dozen people. >> a huge chunk of lava. >> reporter: dr. lee and his wife, a former trauma nurse, were on that boat in hawaii and jumped in to help the injured. but as that fateful trip in new zealand reminds those tours don't guarantee one's safety. >> just because a tour is offered it doesn't necessarily guarantee your safety. >> life is beautiful. we can see the beauty all around us but maybe we don't need to get that close to it. >> reporter: guys, having witnessed the power of mother nature through volcanoes myself i get that sense of awe. it's up to each individual tourist, whether the spectacle is worth the risk. guys. >> yeah, sure is. >> dangerous. thank you so much. >>> coming up, can they crack her