VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, HI -- For the first time in three years, lava from Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island is entering the Pacific Ocean - where it's creating new land and a stunning show for visitors.
Officials at Volcanoes National Park say they have seen an increase of about 1,000 to 1,500 visitors per day since the current lava flow reached the sea in late July, boosting attendance to about 6,000 people daily.
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Reaching the flow requires a boat, helicopter or a 10-mile roundtrip hike.
Volcanoes National Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane says the hardened lava rock that flanks the access road used to hike to the flow is as sharp as glass, and many people have suffered lacerations while trying to cross the jagged landscape. She says only healthy people should attempt the difficult walk.
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows toward the ocean in Volcanoes National Park near Kalapana, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows into the ocean (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Hardened lava rock from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, is shown in Volcanoes National Park near Kalapana, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
A photographer makes pictures of lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows toward the ocean (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
A small home sits on private property atop a former lava flow from Kilauea (AP Photo/Caleb Jones))
Keako Nelson, of Hilo, Hawaii, photographs lava from Kilauea (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Visitors hike along a gravel access road to get to a lava flow from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, in Volcanoes National Park (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Visitors hike onto a lava flow from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows into the ocean as seen from a boat (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
A school bus being used as a homestead sits on private property atop a former lava flow from Kilauea (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows into the ocean a (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows into the ocean as seen from a boat (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Visitors look at lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, as it flows toward the ocean (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows toward the ocean (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows into the ocean as seen from a boat (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Steam and gas rise from the summit crater atop Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, in Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)
Lava from Kilauea, an active volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, flows toward the ocean (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)