Awesome / Volcano

• The first eruption. The movie isn’t scientifically accurate but at the same time nobody can deny how amazing that scene was and still is. At first, it takes on an explosive, phreatomagmatic phase as the rising magma makes contact with the surface water, shooting a column of black smoke, ash and lapilli through the air, which then begins tossing lava bombs that soar through the air and explode on impact with anything they land on like a volcanic rocket launcher while jets of gas and steam spew from the nearby manholes. As Roark and company try to contain the damage and get everybody away from the erupting vent, the eruption kicks into high gear with a massive explosion that shatters every window in the area, before finally revealing its full power with a gigantic lava fountain that spews into the air and rains spatter all around before melting the railing and spilling a torrent of molten lava into the street as it churns out a stone pine-shaped plume into the air.
• The dog Bill running out of one of the burning houses on Stanley Avenue and even barking at the lava and taking his bone before he runs out the house and back into the arms of his owner.
• Stan, the MTA chairman is trying to rescue a train operator from a rail car trapped in a lava flow, finds him, and carries him fireman's style over his shoulders and is reciting the Hail Mary as his shoes are melting below him while trying to walk through the burning/melting train. He gets to the front of the train, but the lava has outrun him and is between him and the rest of the crew. They urge him to drop the man he's saved, and save himself; he can't jump the distance while holding the man he's recovered. He braces himself, and jumps as far as he can, while still holding the man. As he lands in the lava, he uses all of his strength to throw the man he's holding to safety, and he dies as a result of his decision to save the train operator.
• The blocking of the initial lava flow and the loud cheers and celebrations of all the city workers who came together to stop it.
  • All the helicopters dumping the water on the lava is similar to a war film when the reinforcements show up to help pinned down soldiers.
  • The theme “March Of The Lava” also brings that warlike feel to the scene as well because it basically is a war between the city workers from trying to keep the lava from destroying the rest of the city.
• The racist cop Jasper putting aside his prejudices with Kevin, the African American whom he had been at odds with throughout the film and getting the Fire Chief to go help him deal with the fires in his neighborhood on Stanley Avenue. Even though the two don’t say anything except give a quick look before parting their respective ways, it’s very clear that respect has been won between the two rivals.
  • Right before that, one of the concrete barriers was proving to be too heavy despite a ton of manpower. Then Kevin, being told that this blockade will stop the flow from going any further, squeezed in between the men and added his strength, and the barrier was finally able to be hauled into position.
• Through Mike's directing, the demolishing of the condominium building to block the lava's path from flowing towards the medical area.
  • Dr. Calder staying to help her patients and silently telling her yuppie and arrogant husband Norman to basically go fuck himself.
  • Gator refusing to abandon the S.W.A.T. cop who'd gotten trapped under a core column while slotting explosive charges, sadly both men still die during the operation.
  • Mike spotting Kelly trying to protect the boy she'd been put in charge of who wandered off earlier. Mike just barely managed to save them from being crushed when the building collapsed.
• The plan to reroute the lava to Ballona Creek succeeding and the lava flowing safely to the Pacific Ocean.
  • Emmitt shows up to congratulate Mike along with Maxie the family dog and with a phone call from Chief Sindelar on how to rebuild the city. Mike tells Emmitt to handle it as he’s on vacation after all and to tell the Chief that too as he’s going home with his daughter.
  • Emmitt doesn't mind however considering this is all he ever wanted anyway was to be in Mike’s shoes and he takes over to handle the situation like a piece of cake.

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