From the molten rock that spews out of fissures on the ocean bed, the goddess Pele creates the volcanic islands of Hawaii, and eventually they disappear once more, worn down by time and tide.

Hawaii-based film-makers Paul Atkins and Mike de Gruy braved sharks, tidal waves and underwater explosions of lava to explore the underworld of the volcanoes.
When the lava erupts, the sea can boil and reefs catch fire. In one such violent blast the intrepid pair were swept hundreds of yards out to sea, being tossed around in a swirling avalanche of red-hot fragments. Miraculously, they escaped serious injury.

These islands, home to albatrosses, carnivorous finches, seal, moray eels and manta rays, also comprise one of the world' s most extensive mountain ranges, with some peaks more than five miles above the ocean floor. The film captures the dramatic contrasts of a region that includes both coral sands and icy peaks.

(First shown on BBC2)
Win a day's wildlife filming with the BBC: See Feature page 42