National park Hawaiian Volcanoes are famous for their volcanic activity. Here you can observe how landscapes and landscapes are changing literally before your eyes, thanks to the Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on the planet
The park is a habitat rare species birds, unique forests of giant ferns grow here.
The Hawaiian Islands are crowned with an underwater volcanic ridge and are the highest active volcanoes on earth. Volcanic activity on the largest island in the archipelago, the island of Hawaii, continues to this day. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located here.
Hawaiian Volcanoes is a US national park established in 1916 on the island of Hawaii, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.
Kilauela Volcano, the park's main volcano, is traditionally considered the sacred home of the volcano goddess Pele. Hawaiians visited the crater to bring gifts to the goddess. The first white people climbed that volcano only in 1823, they were the English missionary William Ellis and the American Asa Thurston. Here is what Ellis later wrote about the volcano's caldera: “A sublime and even terrifying spectacle appeared before us. We stopped in awe. Surprise and awe at other moments made us silent, and, like statues, we froze in one place and our gazes were riveted to the abyss below us. " The Kilauela caldera is like a lake of boiling fiery liquid with an area of \u200b\u200b4.5 square kilometers and a depth of over 230 meters. Kilauela is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. He has not been able to calm down since 1983. Thomas Jagger set up a museum on the edge of that caldera. Exhibits include everything related to volcanoes - scientific equipment, clothing used by volcanologists, and so on. Some of the museum's windows offer a wonderful view of the Calauela caldera and the Galemaumau crater. The museum is named after Jagger, who was also the first head of the Hawaiian Volcanic Observatory, adjacent to the museum. But for tourists the entrance to the observatory is closed. In the park you can see the results of hundreds of thousands of years of volcanic activity. Which formed the islands themselves and their ecological system. The park covers all heights - from sea level to the top of the island - Mauna Loa volcano (4169). And the Kilauea volcano, one of the most active, provides scientists with information about the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and brings up thoughts about the first volcanic landscapes. The park covers 1348 square kilometers.
Volcano Park, founded in 1916, is located in the southeast Big Island... The area of \u200b\u200bthe park is 1348 sq. Km. Here you can see the Hawaiian jungle with giant ferns, unique volcanic formations, smoking craters.
There is a volcanological museum on the territory of the Park, where films are shown daily for free. The main attraction of the park is the volcano Kilauea Caldera with its steamy cracks, sulfur fumes and periodic eruptions. Its two neighbors, the less active Mauna Loa volcano and the dormant Mauna Kea volcano, rise at about 4200m. above sea level, while their foundation rests on the ocean floor, and this is still about 4800m. Mauna Kea is the most high mountain the world, if measured from the foot on the ocean floor.
The unique landscape of the park is formed by the activity of volcanoes. Travelers have a unique opportunity to see both dormant volcanoes, the slopes of which are already covered with tropical forests, and active, smoking craters. The frozen dark volcanic lava in a huge black river slides into the ocean, blocking the roads, and forms a bizarre coastline... Where lava enters the ocean, steam rises in the air and arches form. The unusual landscape and its desolation creates the feeling as if you were on the edge of the earth.
In the 19th century, the main interest of travelers in Hawaii was not the beaches, but the Hawaiian volcanoes. Islanders and tourists are drawn to volcanoes rather than fleeing from them. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the few places on the planet where it is relatively safe to watch volcanic eruptions. The territory of the park includes the peaks of the largest (Mauna Loa) and the most active (Kilauea) volcanoes on the planet. In 1980, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park received International status. biosphere reserve, and in 1987 included in the list World heritage UNESCO. The unique volcanic landscapes of the park attract about 3 million tourists every year.
What is special about Hawaiian volcanoes?
Brief description of the park
Geological features... Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park stretches from sea level to a height of 4169 meters and includes the largest (Mauna Loa) and most active (Kilauea) volcanoes in the world. Kilauea in nearly continuous eruptions since 1983; Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. Volcanic features within the park include calderas, crater pits, cinder cones, fumaroles, geysers, solfatars, lava flows, lava tubes, black sand beaches, and thermal fields. The climate ranges from lush rainforest to the arid and barren Cau desert. More than half of the park are protected areas with a developed network of hiking trails and ample camping opportunities.
Biological features. The park covers a varied natural environment, from the seaside to the summit of the most massive volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa (4169 m). The territory of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park consists of seven ecological zones:
Coast;
lowlands;
tree-covered hills;
rainforests;
mountain forests;
subalpine belt;
alpine belt.
The park serves as a refuge for many endangered species, including the Bissa (turtle), Nene (Hawaiian goose), Hawaiian petrel, Hawaiian hawk, Hawaiian gray-haired bat, Hawaiian flower girls (birds), carnivorous caterpillars and smiling spiders.
Cultural features... Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park preserves the archaeological remains of native Hawaiians. The park is famous for the Pu "u Loa petroglyphs, the largest concentration of ancient petroglyphs in Hawaii (about 20,000).
Dimensions: area of \u200b\u200b1308 km2, 106 km of paved roads, 249 km of hiking trails.
Volcanoes of the national park
Mauna loa(Mauna Loa) is the largest volcano on the planet with a volume of about 75,000 km3. The height of the volcano is 4,169 meters (the second highest in the Hawaiian Islands after Mauna Kea), 112 km long, 48 km wide. Eruptions, as a rule, are not explosive, the lava is poor in silicon dioxide, therefore it is very liquid. Due to these features, the slightly inclined slopes of the volcano were formed. The last eruption of Mauna Loa took place from March 24 to April 15, 1984 and on this moment the volcano is inactive. Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park covers the summit and southeastern slopes of Mauna Loa.
Kilauea(Kīlauea) is the most active of the five volcanoes that formed the Big Island of Hawaii. Kilauea is the main tourist attraction in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It has a large, relatively recently formed caldera and two active rift zones. Rift zones are a feature of the shield volcanoes in Hawaii. Cracks in the volcanic structure allow lava to erupt away from the summit of the volcano. For example, volcano Kilauea is currently erupting from the Puu Oo vent located in the eastern rift zone of Kilauea, about 15 km east of Kilauea crater itself.
The current eruption of Kilauea began on January 3, 1983, and is by far the longest-lived active volcano in the world. As of January 2011, the eruption has ejected 3.5 cubic kilometers of lava, covering an area of \u200b\u200b123.2 km2.
The active state of Kilauea has a significant impact on the ecology of its slopes. Plant growth is often interrupted by fresh effusions of molten lava, and wind-blown volcanic sulphurous gases cause acid rain, especially in the barren southwest rift zone known as the Ka'u Desert.
Historically, the five volcanoes on the island were considered sacred to Hawaiians. In Hawaiian mythology, the Kilauea caldera and the Halemaumau crater serve as the abode of Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes.
Kilauea is considered the most visited volcano on the planet due to its ability to observe the flow of molten lava. It is relatively safe to visit because its eruptions are not explosive.
Interesting places (attractions) of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Kilauea Information Center (Kilauea Visitor Center) is located a couple of hundred meters from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the right side of the road. Typically, this is the first stop for the approximately 3 million tourists who visit the national park each year. If you want to know more about the park, where to go, what to do, current lava eruption sites, stop here. The always friendly and knowledgeable park rangers will answer all questions. Here you can watch a 30-minute film about volcanic eruptions, book tours with park rangers, learn about routes hiking tours, pick up souvenirs. The Kilauea Information Center is open daily 07:45 am to 5:00 pm.
Thomas Jagger Museum located along Crater Rim Drive, 3 km from Kilauea Information Center. From the observation deck of the museum, a panorama of the caldera and the Halemaumau crater opens. Exhibits include equipment previously used by scientists to study volcanoes. A souvenir shop is available to tourists. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is adjacent to the Jagger Museum, but it is closed for free access. The museum is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00.
CavesHawaiian Volcanoes National Park are composed primarily of lava tubes. Lava tubes are natural channels through which flows of molten liquid rock move under the surface of the earth during a volcanic eruption. These caves sometimes stretch for many kilometers with a height of several meters.
Thurston lava tube is an example of a massive lava cave. This 500-year-old lava cave was discovered in 1913 by Lorrin Thurston, publisher local newspaper... At the time of the opening, the ceiling of the cave was covered with lava stalactites, but soon they were quickly dismantled for souvenirs. Thurston Lava Tube is open for daily access. Private tour operators offer guided tours of the Thurston Lava Tube and similar caves around the Big Island of Hawaii, particularly tour operators Native Guide Hawaii(www.nativeguidehawaii.com) and Kilauea caverns of fire (www.kilaueacavernsoffire.com).
Pua Po'o - another cave of a similar type. It is sometimes called the "secret lava tube" of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There is very little information about this cave. The visit is only possible every Wednesday, accompanied by a park ranger. Please contact the Kilauea Information Center in advance to book a tour.
Puu Oo (Puu Oo) is a tuff cone in the eastern rift zone of Kilauea volcano. Puu Oo has been erupting continuously since January 3, 1983, making it the longest-lived active rift zone in the past two decades. By January 2005, 2.7 cubic kilometers of magma covered an area of \u200b\u200bover 117 square kilometers and added 0.93 km2 of land on the southeast coast of Hawaii's Big Island. In 1986, a lava flow from Puu Oo destroyed most of the Kalapana village. The Wahalua Information Center and the ancient Hawaiian temple are further victims of Puu Oo.
Lava flows... Most visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are most interested in seeing molten lava flows in the Kilauea core. Since 1983, Kilauea volcano has continuously erupted in its eastern rift zone. These lava flows created more than 200 hectares of new land and covered 12 km of the Chain of Craters Road with lava, the thickness of the solidified rock in places reaches 35 m. The nature of the volcano is unstable, sometimes a river of lava is observed, at other times nothing. At the moment, the end of the Chain of Craters Road is the best place park to observe the movement of molten lava. Sometimes lava flows can be seen at the end of the road near the ranger station. Usually, it is necessary to walk a few more kilometers through the lava fields. The most spectacular moment is when lava flows into the ocean in the dark, hiding in clouds of steam. Crater Puu Oo erupts fresh lava flows.
Halemaumau crater (Halemaumau crater) is located in the center of the Kilauea caldera. Halemaumau in Hawaiian mythology is the abode of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. Ancient Hawaiians regularly visited the crater to bring gifts to the almighty goddess. The rising plume of volcanic gas constantly reminds of the seething lava deep within the crater. After sunset, Halemaumau attracts visitors with its bright glow.
Kilauea Iki (Kīlauea Iki) is currently inactive. But in 1959 it was a lake of seething lava, fountains of molten rock rose to a height of 580 m. The crater is 1.6 km long and almost 1 km wide, the bottom is more than 100 meters below the observation deck. Around Kilauea Ica there is a 6 km long circular trail.
Puu Loa petroglyphs (Pu "u Loa petroglyphs) A trail of approximately 2 km from the Chain of Craters Road leads to the largest concentration of ancient petroglyphs in Hawaii. Pu" u Loa petroglyphs are considered sacred place for the native Hawaiians who have carved more than 20,000 designs into the lava surface. The petroglyphs are believed to have perpetuated important events in the life of Hawaiians. The drawings depict animals, human figures, abstract forms. In the old days, Hawaiians made holes here to hold the umbilical cords of babies and then covered them with stones. According to popular belief, this gave the child health and longevity. The car park and trailhead are located between the 16 and 17-mile markers along the Chain of Craters Road. A boardwalk has been laid in the area of \u200b\u200bthe petroglyphs. Not all petroglyphs are clearly visible, so as not to trample or damage them, walk on the boardwalk all the time.
Sulfur deposits (Sulfur Banks). In emerging sulfur deposits, volcanic gases seep out of the ground along with steam from groundwater. These gases are rich in carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide (a gas that smells like rotten eggs). Remember - the outgoing gases of volcanoes are hazardous to health. Visitors with heart or respiratory conditions (particularly asthma), pregnant women, young children should avoid this visit.
Fumaroles(Steam Vents) - the release of hot steam from the cracks and channels of the volcano. Groundwater seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks and returns to the surface as steam. Avoid getting too close to the fumaroles on a cold day, as you will be wet from this Pele Bath.
Roads
Traveling by car is the most popular way to visit the most interesting sites in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The two main roads that visitors will have to travel (Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road) are paved. Currently, 12 km of the Chain of Craters Road near Kalapana is completely covered with lava.
Chain of craters road - 37 km road through the eastern rift zone of the Kilauea volcano and the coast of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. In general, it descends from a height of 1128 m and rests against a lava flow across the road to south coast Big Island of Hawaii. Repeated eruptions of Kilauea volcano between 1986 and 1996 shortened the road by 12 km, covering the coastal area with lava flows, destroyed Kaimu Beach (one of the most beautiful beaches Hawaii), a 12th-century Hawaiian temple, almost completely buried the village of Kalapana. The road has branches, from which a panorama of various volcanic landscapes opens: craters, active and frozen lava flows, columns of gas. The main interest of the trip along this road is the Holei Sea Arch. There is a ranger station at the end of the road. From here, walk a few kilometers along the coast to see the flow of molten lava.
| Crater Rim Drive Map |
Crater rim drive - ring road 18 km long around the Kilauea caldera. This 18 km ring road revolves around the summit of the Kilauea caldera and craters, traversing a patch of rainforest and lava desert, stopping at panoramic landscapes and short walking trails. It begins almost immediately after entering the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and passes by sulfur deposits (Sulfur Banks), fumaroles (a jet of hot volcanic steam), and the Jagger Museum. From here, the road descends through the rift zone to the caldera floor to the Halemaumau crater. Further, the road climbs up and passes the smaller craters Keanakākoi Crater and Kīlauea Iki Crater, through the fern thickets, past the Thurston Lava Tube lava cave and returns to the administrative district of the park. Crater rim drive
What to do, what to do, tours of local operators
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has over 240 km of trails for hiking... The trails range from easy (Kipukapuaulu) to long (Mauna Loa Trail) hikes. They not only cross lava fields, but also deserts, rainforests, beaches, and in winter snowy slopes at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. Trail maps and other useful information can be obtained from the Kilauea Visitor Center, open from 7:45 am to 5:00 pm daily. Check the weather before going on a hike, it can be cool and rainy all year round, be prepared for hot sun, cool rain and strong winds. Always use sunscreen and take plenty of drinking water with you. Description of several trails:
Kilauea Iki Trail... The 6 km trail begins in the Information Center area, descends through fern thickets to the Kilauea Iki crater, then crosses the bottom of the crater and passes the funnel where a 36-day fountain of fire-breathing lava erupted in 1959.
Halemaumau Trail. The 5.5 km trail starts at the Information Center, descends to the bottom of the Kilauea caldera and ends at the Halemaumau crater observation deck.
Devastation trail 1 km long allows you to see the crater Kilauea Iki, where the volcano erupted in 1959. Hiking with the park rangers (free) is offered throughout the day.
Kipuka Puaula (Bird Park) Trail. The 2.5 km trail allows you to see Hawaiian flora and fauna in a small oasis in the middle of lava fields. For some reason, the red-hot lava passed this place and left untouched a section of the forest. The trail starts from Mauna Loa Road. Head out in the early morning or evening (even better, immediately after rain) to see Hawaiian birds.
Mauna Loa Trail. This is one of the most difficult routes hiking tours in Hawaii. The 31 km trail starts at the end of the road and climbs to the top of Mauna Loa (4136 m), where night temperatures drop below zero throughout the year. There is often snow in July. A round trip (3 to 4 days) requires a lot of physical exertion and registration at the Information Center. You will also receive detailed maps route and other necessary information. The trail starts at the end of the Mauna Loa road.
Watching molten lava from Kalapana Cultural Tours. This is one of the few tour operators that provides trips to the place where the fire-breathing lava flows out. The tour starts at about 15:30, first a trip by minibus, then a few kilometers of hike along the old frozen streams to the place where the molten lava flows out. After observing the molten lava (about an hour and a half), return back in the dark. In addition, Kalapana Cultural Tours offers bike tours. Tour Operator Address: 12-5038 Kalapana-Kapoho Rd, Pahoa, Island of Hawaii, HI 96778, www.kalapanaculturaltours.com
Helicopter tours. One of the best helicopter companies is Blue Hawaiian Helicopter (www.bluehawaiian.com). Helicopters take off from the cities of Hilo and Waikoloa (Hilo is cheaper because it is closer). The 50-minute Circle of Fire / Waterfalls tour (with Hilo), in addition to volcanoes, includes sightseeing of waterfalls, valleys and beaches; The 70-minute Big Island Spectacular (with Waikoloa), explores rainforests, waterfalls and volcanoes. If you prefer airplanes over helicopters, try Big Island Air (www.bigislandair.com). The 1-hour excursion from Kona Airport includes sightseeing of all 5 volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Weather
The weather in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is extremely variable. At the top of Kilauea (1247 m), the weather changes daily and can be rainy and cold at any time of the year. Temperature varies with altitude. At the top of the volcano, the temperature is 12-15 degrees lower than at the coast. Coastal zonetends to be warm, dry and windy. Come prepared, carry a windbreaker, long pants, closed tops (not sandals).
Where to stay
Volcano Village. Since the formation of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park in 1916, the tiny Volcano Village has appeared at the entrance to its territory. There are several streets with two shops, several restaurants, a post office, a cafe and a fire department. Volcano Village has no traffic lights, church or cemetery, but it does have a winery (www.volcanowinery.com). Anyone can stop here and taste local wines made from honey and tropical fruits. The village is surrounded by a tropical forest with a lot of precipitation - 2500 mm per year.
Volcano Village is within 1 km from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Highway 11, which leads directly to the park, passes next to Volcano Village. If you are going to see the Hawaiian volcanoes in detail, you will comfortably spend several days in this village. Rooms can be ordered online at www.emmaspencerliving.com
Small hotel Volcano Houseoverlooking the Halemaumau crater in the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park was built back in 1846. Even Mark Twain once stayed there during a visit to Hawaii. Website www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com
Campsites
Within the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, there are two motorist campgrounds (Namakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki). Camping is free. No advance booking is required, but the stay is limited to 7 days per month.
Camping Namakanipaio located on Highway 11 at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. It is a large open lawn with tall trees. The camp has toilets, water, picnic tables, barbecue areas.
Camping Kulanaokuaiki located about 8 km along the Hilina Pali Road at an altitude of 820 meters. There is no water in this place. There is a toilet and picnic tables.
Opening hours:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day all year round (including all holidays);
The Kilauea Visitor Center is open daily 07:45 to 17:00;
The Jagger Museum is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00.
Location
The park is located on the southeastern part of the Big Island of Hawaii, 154 km from Kona on Highway 11 and 48 km from Hilo on Highways 19.
Useful information
Entrance fees to the park are charged to vehicles and cyclists. Keep your ticket, it is valid seven days in a row.
Prepare in advance for your visit. Take food and water with you, there are no outlets in the park. Wear proper footwear, long pants and a jacket.
For safety reasons, stay on the marked trails, pay attention to all warning signs and stay away from the restricted area. Avoid harmful volcanic gases in the park.
Get the latest news at the Kilauea Information Center. National park rangers will tell you where to go and how to get to the hot lava sites.
Finally, set aside plenty of time for your trip. To get the most out of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park's highlights, consider staying at Volcano House, nearby Volcano Village or Hilo, just 45 minutes away. Other big city Kona is 2.5 hours one way.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the Island of Hawaii. Interesting places and tours of local operators of the Island of Hawaii read this link
Residence
Recommended options hotels near Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park on booking.com using this link
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Locals have worshiped volcanoes since ancient times, considering them a sacred place. Europeans first visited Kilauea in 1823, and by 1840 the volcano was already a beloved tourist destination.
It was formed on August 1, 1916. It is located in the state of Hawaii, in the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii. Its total area is 1348 km². Smoking craters, rare volcanic formations, Hawaiian jungle with huge ferns - all this can be seen in the park.
Represents unique system in the middle of ocean waters. Most of the protected area is located in the desert. Caldera Kilauea, the most famous volcano in the national park, resembles a lake of boiling liquid. Its area is 4.5 km2, and its depth exceeds 230 meters.
Kilauea has been in constant activity since 1983. This is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Also in the park there is a dormant mauna Kea volcano and less active volcano Mauna loa... However, volcanoes are not the only traces of volcanic activity in the protected area, you can also see black sandy beaches, lava tubes, lava flows here.
At the edge of the caldera is Thomas Jaeger Museum... It presents various things that are directly related to volcanoes - volcanologists' clothing, scientific equipment and more.
Weather in national park Hawaiian volcanoes impossible to predict. Travelers need to be prepared for the rain at any time. The air temperature in the protected area is always lower by several degrees (3-5) than on the coast. This is due to the high altitude.
The national park covers a heterogeneous natural environment: from the seashore to the top of the most massive volcano on the planet - Mauna Loa Loa (4169 m). The protected area includes seven ecological zones: alpine belt, subalpine belt, mountain forests, tropical forests, tree-covered hills, lowlands, coast.
It is a refuge for a variety of endangered species, including: smiling spiders, carnivorous caterpillars, Hawaiian flower girls (birds), Hawaiian gray and white bat, Hawaiian hawk, Hawaiian petrel, Hawaiian goose (nene), turtle bisse.
Due to its geographical location, the Hawaiian Islands are truly unique and inimitable. As the only US state entirely on volcanic rock, Hawaii is replete with impressive volcanoes that are over 70 million years old. It could even be argued that all of Hawaii is just a chain of huge volcanoes with a base deep in the ocean. And what can be seen above the water is only a small part of them. Each island in Hawaii is living proof that the volcanoes that formed them erupted many times before their summit was above sea level. Although there are many underwater volcanoes near Hawaii, in this section we will try to describe in detail only those that formed the Hawaiian island chain.
Volcanoes of the Big Island
Mauna loa
Mount Mauna Loa, 96 km long and 48 km wide, covers an impressive 85% of the islands' total land area. Translated from Hawaiian Mauna Loa means "long mountain" - a volcano, whose 4,117 m above the ocean surface. Being one of the most high mountains in the world, Mauna Loa is also the most active volcano in the world. Snow forms at the top of the volcano in winter.
The first eruption of the volcano occurred in 1843, followed by 33 more. The last eruption of Mauna Loa took place in March-April 1984. Scientists are constantly monitoring the activity of the volcano, as eruptions are expected in the near future.
Mauna Loa is a shield volcano: this means that the volcano slowly "grew" due to lava layers. Interestingly, these types of volcanoes form even on other planets. For example, it was in this way that the largest mountain in the entire solar system was formed - the Olympus volcano on Mars.
This volcano is more than 500,000 years old and is the oldest land volcano. Kohala is a shield volcano with a height of 1,670 m, occupying 5.8% of the island's surface. Scientists have calculated that the volcano's activity began to fade 300,000 years ago, when the volcano was twice as wide as it is now. Kohala is currently completely inactive. As researchers suggest, its last eruption occurred 120,000 years ago.
While the Kohala volcano gradually faded, the eruptions of the younger and more active volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa altered its southern slope. It is for this reason that it is very difficult to determine the exact shape of the mountain and its size at that time.
Loihi Volcano, the youngest volcano in the Hawaii volcanic chain, is 1,000 meters below the water level and is an underwater volcano. Loikhi, 3,000 m high, is located at southeast coast Big Island. The name "Loihi" can be translated as "long".
Not far from Loiha are Mauna Loa and Kilauea. This volcano was once dormant, but it awakened with a prolonged eruption in 1996. Since this year, the volcano erupts from time to time.
Kilauea volcano is quite young, but this does not prevent it from being one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Kilauea is located in the southeastern part of the Big Island, on the slope of the active Mauna Loa volcano. The volcano is constantly under scientific observation.
The name Kilauea means "eruption" or "expansion", which reflects its nature: the volcano has been constantly erupting since 1983. Kilauea Volcano holds a special place in Hawaiian mythology. Many residents believe that the volcano is the home of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. If she is given offerings and encouraged in every way, she can be calm and merciful, but if angry she can cause an eruption.
Mauna Kea
The shield volcano Mauna Kea rises 4,205 m above the surface of the water, and more than 6,000 m below sea level: a total height of more than 10 km makes this volcano the highest mountain on Earth. Translated from the Hawaiian language, "Mauna Kea" means "white mountain", and this volcano is significantly different from its neighbors - the volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Currently, Mauna Kea is considered dormant, since its last eruption occurred more than 4,500 years ago. Minor eruptions occur periodically, but since the main crater has not survived, the chemical composition of the lava is always different. Mauna Kea is unique volcanobecause glaciers formed on it thousands of years ago. Few people would think that there might be a glacier in Hawaii! In winter, the top of the volcano is covered with a snow cap.
Mahukona
Mahukona is an underwater volcano located off the northwestern coast of the Big Island. It was once 243 m above sea level, but now it is 1,100 m lower. Translated from Hawaiian it means "steam coming from the leeward side of the island."
Hualalai
The volcano is the third youngest and the third most active volcano on the Big Island (after the volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea). The city of Kailua-Kona, the birthplace of the famous coffee Kona, is erected on the southwestern slope of the Hualalai volcano. The volcano is named after the wife of the famous Hawaiian seafarer Loa, Hawaii.
In the past, the volcano often erupted. Keahole Airport is built on solidified lava flows. A series of earthquakes in 1929 made it clear that Hualalai volcano could still pose a threat to Hawaii.
Maui volcanoes
West and East Maui are the two volcanoes that form the island.
East Maui
This volcano is also known as Haleakala, the second volcano after Kilauea that has erupted since the 18th century. This third largest volcano boasts a fair number of eruptions: ten in the past 10,000 years. The last eruption took place in 1790. Ten eruptions in 10,000 years - in a special geological time frame, this number can be considered very large. Many scientists are confident that the volcano will soon awaken.
The word "Haleakala" can be translated as "house of the Sun", and the top of the volcano occupies a certain place in Hawaiian mythology. The Haleakala Crater at the top of the volcano is currently very popular with tourists.
West Maui
Scientists believe that this volcano was formed about 1.3-2 million years ago. They calculated that its last eruption occurred a million years ago, so it is currently considered extinct and harmless.
Volcanoes of Molokai Island
There are two volcanoes on the island: Western Molokai (sometimes called Mauna Loa) and Eastern Molokai (Weilau).
Volcano West Molokai is the smaller of them, and East Molokai occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island. Most of the East Molokai volcano is located below sea level, under the lava layers of other volcanoes.
Volcanoes of Oahu
The volcanoes Koolau and Waianae formed the island of Oahu. Waianae rises above the western (windward) side of the island, while Koolau can be seen on the eastern (leeward) side of the island.
Koolau is a basaltic volcano that forms two thirds of the island.
Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay and Coco Crater attract thousands of tourists every year. Koolau is also a favorite subject of study due to the special composition of this volcano's lava, which contains more quartz than the lava of other Hawaiian volcanoes.
Vaianae volcano is higher and older than Koolau. What's more, it erupts less frequently, which allows coastal waters to stay clean.
The Hawaiian Islands expand and reshape in parallel with each volcanic eruption. Thanks to destructive eruptions, land is formed on which life arises. Visit any of these amazing volcanoes to understand how the beautiful Hawaiian Islands were formed (and continue to form).
He is relatively young, but very active. Experts consider it the most active volcano in our time. It has been erupting incessantly since 1983.
General information
The name of the volcano Kilauea translated from Hawaiian means "belching". Its height is 1247 meters, the volcano is located next to its "brother" Manua Loa, but differs from it in lower growth.
The beginning of the last eruption took place on January 3, 1983 and is still ongoing. Since 2011, there has been an intense eruption activity.
At the top of the Kilauea volcano is a large caldera. This is a basin measuring 3 by 4 km. It contains a crater that has been active since 2008. The crater is called Halemaumau, and it spews out a powerful column of gas and lava. Of course, this is not the only crater of the volcano; the Western and Southeast rift zones are rich in them. There are also two cones with interesting names Kupayanaha and Puu-oo, from which lava also flows.
The volcano has two fault zones: one stretches 125 km to the east, the second - 35 km to the west.
Local beliefs
The inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands have long worshiped the goddess Pele. She is considered the patroness of volcanoes and, according to legend, lives in the Kilauea volcano. At the first shudders of the elements, the tribe of natives, together with the oldest sorcerer, ascend to the top of Kilauea.
The pagans call the lake of lava "the house of eternal fire." Its fiery surface rises, releasing streams of lava, gases and vapors. The natives with prayers to the goddess throw sacrifices (birds and gifts of the earth) into a boiling lake called the "womb" of the goddess. They appeal to Pele and ask to save them from the disaster. The natives believe that if you please the goddess, she will be supportive and will not erupt with fiery lava.
Lava products are named after the goddess. For example, "Pele's tears" are called miniature drops of lava, "hair" - strips of lava cooled in the wind, "algae" - lava flowing into the ocean.
Element today
By its shape, the volcano belongs to the shield. This means that it was formed as a result of lava emissions. Liquid lava spreads for many kilometers, and a "shield" is formed from its layers.
The volcano has several craters. The slope of the volcano is gentle, and you can climb it without having any climbing skills. Many tourists indulge in this dangerous occupation, risking their own lives. Of course, seeing a volcanic eruption is an incomparable sensation, but we must not forget that being close to the elements is extremely dangerous.
Per last years lava destroyed many tracks and buildings. Of course, the locals have adapted to their specific living conditions. They set up houses on stilts. Ornito are considered very dangerous - these are vents that release high-temperature gases. The magma around them is unstable, and there is a risk of failure.
Volcano's participation in the construction of islands
An interesting fact is that the Hawaiian Islands themselves were formed as a result of the action of several volcanoes. In fact, the islands are the summits of vast volcanoes that emerged from the ocean depths. Similar geographic location the islands is truly unique on planet earth.
Many Hawaiian volcanoes are over 70 million years old. Kilauea is the youngest among them. It is located in the southeast of the Big Island. All the local volcanoes have erupted since ancient times, being in the waters of the ocean, and now their tops rise above sea level. Some are so high that they surpass many of the famous mountain peaks.
The exclusivity of the volcano
Scientists emphasize the exclusivity of the Kilauea volcano, calling it the most active volcano in Hawaii. He is currently the most active on the entire planet.
Kilauea rose from the sea 100,000 years ago after a series of eruptions. Previously, Kilauea was considered just an accompanying neighbor of Manua Loa. However, Kilauea was later discovered to have its own magma chamber. This is the "heart" of the volcano, formed by hot lava.
The vast majority of the slopes of Kilauea are covered with solidified lava, which is less than 1000 years old. The lava areas are interspersed with rock fragments and ash. A significant part of the mountain remains under water.
Eruptions
In January 1983, a violent eruption of the Kilauea volcano began in Hawaii. Lava flows out of a crater called Puu-oo in huge quantities. Such an eruption is considered the largest in the last 5 centuries in the Eastern Rift Zone.
By the end of 2012, lava flows covered 125.5 km 2, thus destroying habitable land. total area this area was 202 hectares. Lava destroyed 214 buildings and destroyed 14.5 km of roads.
The eruption of the Kilauea volcano greatly affects the ecology of neighboring lands. Plants stop growing due to the outpouring of lava, and acid rains are due to sulphurous gases carried by the wind. Especially such rains are frequent in the deserted Southwest rift zone.
Tourist interest
The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii attracts many tourists. It is included in the local National Park, which attracts crowds of fans of extreme recreation every year.
The park has more than 240 hiking trails. Some of them are light, others are very long. Along one such trail, you can go to the inactive Kilauea crater, which erupted in 1959, cross its bottom, and pass by a crater that was frozen many years ago. A very exciting route!
Not far from the entrance to the park is the Kilauea Information Center, where rangers will tell you a lot of interesting things about the life of volcanoes, as well as offer exciting tours to everyone. You can also buy souvenirs here.
That's how he is, fire-breathing and dangerous volcano Kilauea, which attracts both volcanologists and curious tourists from all over the world with its unexplored nature.
