The White Island tragedy near New Zealand on Dec. 9 is a sobering reminder about the dangers of volcano tourism. Despite the eruption that killed 16 visitors, the likelihood that these adventure tours will be curtailed is unlikely, especially in Hawaii, which had a similar episode with Kilauea in 2018.

Fortunately, Kilauea claimed no victims but despite its fury, tourism to the site has flourished. And while one can't condone the inherent risks in such excursions, the benefits of taking part in a volcano tour in Hawaii can't be ignored either.

It's Still Safe

Kilauea and Mauna Loa, also in Hawaii, are two of the most active volcanoes in the world, annually drawing more than two million tourists. Since 2000, there have only been three recorded fatalities related to volcanoes, all of them due to inhalation of toxic fumes from nearby lava flows.

That eruptions weren't the cause of those deaths provides minor comfort to the staff at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which has seismologists on call to monitor the attractions. They were instrumental in saving lives after determining that a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Hawaii in 2018 could trigger activity at Kilauea. That warning shut down the park and mobilized the state into evacuation mode.

For the most part, the park tours are back on, but itineraries and tour paths are subject to change daily depending on the level of activity, lava flows and toxic fumes. Some private expeditions post lava flow advisories and provide other option packages like viewing volcanoes from a helicopter.

It's about science

While volcanic eruptions guarantee headline news, they also spark curiosity among many who really want to know first-hand what makes these belching beasts of the earth tick. And at most parks in Hawaii, there's no shortage of knowledge being provided, either at the information centers that greet visitors or the tour guides who take them on foot as close to the attraction as possible.

Besides getting a dose of data peppered with scientific words like basalt, caldera, lahar and magma, they'll get a good grip on how volcanoes are formed and behave. And most are able to put together all that scientific info by the time they come face-to-face with these craters from hell.

It's a rush

Sure, you can play it safe by visiting a dormant Hawaiian volcano like Mauna Kea, but where's the fun in that? Like NASCAR spectators or UFC fans, volcano fans crave action. The bubbling lakes of lava, the rocks propelled from the crater and the fiery flows of lava are ingredients for an adrenaline rush to adventure travelers.

And given that Kilauea is still classified as active, that's enough incentive for folks to hopefully witness a repeat performance. If that happens, hopefully they're all able to walk away with something else in their systems, namely a new respect for Mother Nature.