I have visited Volcanoes National Park a few times in years past. Mauna Loa was active back then. My DH and I walked over the hardened lava that looked like cooled taffy and there were pockets and bubbles when the lava was still red and oozing out. The small of sulfur was awful.
Some buildings in small village were destroyed. It was amazing to see. I wondered why tourists were allowed in that area, but I went anyway,
Of course the bulk of the lava was going the opposite direction into the ocean. We took a cruise at night to see it. I would love to see it again.