The Volcanoes of Hawaii

• A volcano is a vent in Earth’s crust that allows molten rock, ash, and gases to escape from inside the planet.
  • Vents
• Volcanoes are formed by the movement of tectonic plates.
  • Understanding Plate Tectonic Theory
• Some of the largest volcanoes in the solar system are found on the moon and Mars.
  • Martian Volcanoes
• Volcanic eruptions can cause widespread damage, but they also create new land and can enrich existing soil.
  • Why Is Volcanic Soil Fertile?
• The most famous volcano is probably Mount Vesuvius, which destroyed the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in 79 C.E.
  • Pompeii
• The largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa in Hawaii, which is also one of the most active.
  • Which Volcano Is the World’s Largest?
• Volcanoes can be classified as active, dormant, or extinct based on their activity level.
  • What Is a Dormant Volcano?
• Lava, ash, and rocks are the three main types of material that come out of a volcano.
  • Ever Wondered What Comes Out of a Volcano (Other Than Lava)?
• The temperature of lava can reach more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • How Hot Is Lava?
• Volcanoes can also create geysers, hot springs, and mud pots.
  • Geyser vs. Volcano: What’s the Difference?
• Volcanic ash can be a hazard to airplanes, as it can damage engines and clog fuel lines.
  • Why Volcanic Ash Is Terrible for Airplanes
• Some animals, such as birds and insects, have adapted to living near and on volcanoes.
  • Plants and Animals Around Volcanoes
• There are many famous volcanic islands, such as Hawaii, Santorini, and Bali.
  • Top Ten Famous Volcanoes
• Some cultures have worshiped volcanoes as gods, including the ancient Romans and Greeks.
  • Hephaestus, the Greek God of Fire and Volcanoes
• Volcanoes can also cause tsunamis if they erupt under the ocean.
  • How Do Volcanic Eruptions Generate Tsunamis?
• Scientists study volcanoes to learn more about Earth’s interior and to help people predict and respond to future eruptions.
  • Volcanology: The Study of Volcanic Activity and Predicting Eruptions

Kilauea is a volcano on the big island of Hawaii, and it’s one of the most famous and active volcanoes in the world. The volcano has been almost continuously erupting since 1983. Another interesting fact about Kilauea is that it has created a black sand beach. The black sand is made from tiny fragments of volcanic rock broken down by the ocean. Scientists closely monitor Kilauea to make sure it’s safe for people to visit, since it’s so active.

• Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Spectacularly Erupts
• Steady Lava Fountain Continues at Kilauea Summit

Another volcano located on the big island of Hawaii is Mauna Loa, which is classified as a giant volcano. It’s actually one of the largest volcanoes in the world, and it covers about half of the big island. Mauna Loa is a type of volcano known as a shield volcano, which means that it has gently sloped sides and spreads out over a wide area. Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since its first well-documented eruption in 1843.

• Mauna Loa
• Mauna Loa Baseline Observatory

Hualalai is an inactive volcano that also can be found on the big island. Scientists and historians agree that it last erupted in the early 1800s. Although it’s quiet now, it is considered one of the most historically active volcanoes in Hawaii. Hualalai is believed to have created several hot springs in the area. It’s also home to a rare type of volcanic rock called Pele’s hair, named after the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. The strands of Pele’s hair are thin and brittle. This type of rock can only be found in areas near active volcanic vents.

• Hualalai Volcano
• Pele’s Hair: What Is It?

Mauna Kea is another volcano located on the big island. Although it was long considered dormant, it erupted at the end of 2022. Unlike the other volcanoes it shares the island with, it is one of the tallest mountains in the world. When measured from its base, Mauna Kea is actually taller than Mount Everest. That’s because Mauna Kea starts deep under the ocean and rises to its peak on land. Another interesting fact about Mauna Kea is that it’s home to some of the world’s largest and most advanced telescopes. Scientists from all over the world come to Mauna Kea to study the stars and learn more about the universe.

• Hawaii’s Mauna Loa and Kilauea Volcanoes Have Stopped Erupting, Scientists Say
• Mauna Kea

Kama’ehuakanaloa, which formerly was known as Lo’ihi Seamount, is an underwater volcano located off the coast of Hawaii’s big island. It’s still growing, and scientists believe that one day, it may break the surface of the ocean and become the newest island in Hawaii. In the meantime, scientists are studying Kama’ehuakanaloa to learn more about how underwater volcanoes form and grow. They use special equipment to analyze the volcano and gather information about the molten rock, ash, and gas that it produces.

• Taking Kama’ehuakanaloa’s Temperature After Recent Unrest
• Volcano Gets a Change of Name

The island of Maui is home to Haleakala, which is classified as a shield volcano. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii because of its stunning sunrise views from the summit. Many of these tourists are unaware that Haleakala is also home to a unique ecosystem. The summit of Haleakala is above the cloud line and has a very different climate than the rest of Maui, and this has allowed many plant species to evolve that are found nowhere else in the world. Another lesser-known fact about Haleakala is that it was once used as a training ground for astronauts. The harsh conditions and rugged landscape of the summit were used to simulate the moon’s surface, which helped prepare the astronauts for their lunar missions.

• Haleakala
• What Is the Haleakala Volcano?