The Hawaiian Islands are the names of the eruption points. Mauna Loa - the largest volcano on earth

Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii, USA) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.

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Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park is one of the few places on the planet where there is a unique opportunity to watch hot lava erupt from the depths of the earth onto the surface with virtually no risk to life. On its territory is the most majestic volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa, and the most active, Kilauea, and over 3 million travelers come to see them every year.

The park was founded in Hawaii in 1916, and currently covers an area of ​​approximately 1,300 square meters. km. In 1987, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, but it has been of interest among tourists and scientists since the 19th century.

The Mauna Loa volcano reaches a height of 9100 m, and Kilauea has never stopped erupting since 1983.

Volcanic activity in the protected area manifests itself in geysers, lava flows and tubes, thermal fields, crater pits, black sand beaches and other phenomena. On its territory you can see both tropical vegetation and barren deserts, serving as a habitat for a variety of animals and insects. Including endangered ones, including smiling spiders, hawksbill turtles, carnivorous caterpillars, and nene birds. The park has many Aboriginal archaeological sites, from original structures to rare concentrations of petroglyphs. But the main interest is, of course, the volcanoes.

Volcanoes and what else to see

The difference between the volcanoes of the archipelago is that they belong to the category of “quiet” - the lava erupts smoothly and flows down the slopes in slow waves, and therefore does not pose a danger to the observer. The last eruption of Mauna Loa was recorded in 1984, but Kilauea is constantly active. But the lava flows not from the crater, but at a distance of 15 km from it - through a crack. Over more than 30 years of activity, 3.5 cubic meters were ejected from the bowels of Kilauea. km of lava. The volcanoes of the park are considered a sacred place for local residents and in their mythology are represented as the abode of the deities of wind, lightning and fire.

In the park you can not only observe the activity of volcanoes, but also organize trekking or ride through deserts, jungles and cooled lava fields in a jeep.

Other attractions at Hawaiian Volcanoes include an information center; The Thomas Jagger Museum with a gorgeous observation deck, observatory and gift shop; sulfur deposits; huge caves of lava origin, fumaroles (high-temperature steam emissions from volcanic fissures) and the above-mentioned petroglyphs. The park provides hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and ideal camping opportunities. Fans of outdoor activities are offered extreme jeep tours, mountain bike rides and helicopter and even small plane flights over volcanoes, beaches, valleys and waterfalls.

Practical information

The park is located in the southeastern region of the Big Island of Hawaii, 48 km from the city of Hilo and 154 km from the city of Kohn. You can get to the place from these cities by bus or order a transfer from your hotel.

For those by car: the N11 highway leads to the park. Exact coordinates: 19.418956; 155.301740.

Entrance to the territory is free, but you will have to pay for a car or bicycle (information on the website). The park is open daily 24 hours a day; Information center opening hours: every day from 7:45 to 17:00. Website (in English).

general information

The soil and rocks under this South Sea island are a very precarious foundation. The Hawaiian archipelago is the result of volcanic activity: its 137 islands are the peaks of underwater volcanoes. This chain lies just along the edge of the great Pacific tectonic plate, which moves 10 cm to the northwest every year. The volcanoes of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are located on the main island, which is locally known as the "Big Island". These are the most active volcanoes on the planet.

The reserve was established on August 1, 1916, and was then called Hawaii National Park. Protected status 1300 sq. km of its area was confirmed in 1961 under its modern name. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park includes a unique ecological system, from black sand ocean beaches to fire-breathing mountains.

Rising 4,169 m above sea level, Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on Earth. Its foot goes into one of the deepest depressions in the Pacific Ocean, adding another 5000 m to the first figure. This means that the total height of Mauna Loa is more than 9100 m, much higher than the height of Mount Everest (8848 m). Mauna Loa's "little brother" is Kilauea. Although it is nowhere near the size of Mauna Loa, Kilauea is the most active volcano on the planet. Both mountains are classified as shield volcanoes, as are most of the volcanoes in Hawaii.

The aborigines have a legend that explains why Kilauea is so restless and sometimes even cruel. Locals believe that Kilauea Crater, Halemaumau, is the home of the fire goddess Pele, a very fiery person. The girl easily loses control of herself and begins to literally spit fire and hot lava anywhere. Then Pele calms down and falls into a blessed sleep. To appease such an ardent goddess or at least moderate her furious anger, the aborigines bring gifts for Pele and leave them on the edge of the crater. This custom is still sacredly observed today.

Geologists, as always, explain Kilauea's tough character in a more pragmatic way. The most popular theory is the so-called hot spot idea. A hot spot is any area that exhibits volcanic activity for a sufficiently long period of time without erupting lava. This theory suggests the presence of huge cavities beneath the Earth's surface, from which magma rises relatively slowly compared to real eruptions. The Pacific tectonic plate floats just above such a giant magma lake. Internal pressure, provoking continental drift, pushes magma to the surface, a new island appears with inevitable volcanic activity. This means that it is not surprising that Kilauae erupts every now and then, throwing thin fountains of lava into the sky day and night.

Data

• Founding: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was founded on the Hawaiian archipelago on August 1, 1916. Today its area is 1309 square meters. km.
• Elevation: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park rises 4,169 m above sea level at its highest point, Mauna Loa. If you count from its base on the ocean floor, the height of this volcano will be 9100 m.
• Eruptions: Since 1983, Kilauea has not stopped erupting. It has long been considered the most active volcano on the planet.
• UNESCO World Heritage List: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.

Due to its geographical location, the Hawaiian Islands are truly unique and inimitable. As the only US state built entirely on volcanic rock, Hawaii is home to impressive volcanoes dating back more than 70 million years. One could even argue that all of Hawaii is just a chain of huge volcanoes with their bases deep in the ocean. And what can be seen above the water is only a small part of them. Each island of Hawaii is living proof that the volcanoes that formed them erupted repeatedly until their tops were 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, occupies an impressive 85% of the islands' total land area. Translated from Hawaiian, Mauna Loa means “long mountain” - a volcano whose 4,117 m are above the surface of the ocean. As one of the tallest 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 volcano first erupted in 1843, followed by 33 more. Mauna Loa's last eruption occurred 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” thanks to lava layers. Interestingly, these types of volcanoes even form on other planets. For example, this is how the largest mountain in the entire solar system was formed - the Olympus volcano on Mars.

This volcano is over 500,000 years old and is the oldest volcano located on land. Kohala is a 1,670 m high shield volcano 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. Researchers suggest that its last eruption occurred 120,000 years ago.

While Kohala Volcano was gradually dying out, eruptions of the younger and more active volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa were changing its southern slope. It is for this reason that it is very difficult to determine the exact shape of the mountain and its size during that period.

Volcano Lo'ihi, being the youngest volcano in the Hawaiian volcanic chain, lies 1,000 m below sea level and is an underwater volcano. Lo'ihi, 3,000m high, is located off the southeast coast of the Big Island. The name "Loihi" can be translated as "long".

Not far from Loihi are Mauna Loa and Kilauea. This volcano was once dormant, but it awoke with a prolonged eruption in 1996. Since this year, the volcano has erupted from time to time.

The 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 volcano Mauna Loa. The volcano is constantly being monitored scientifically.

The name Kilauea means "eruption" or "expansion", which reflects its nature: the volcano has been continuously erupting since 1983. The 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 you make offerings and appease her, she can be calm and merciful, but if you anger her, 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. Mauna Kea means “white mountain” in Hawaiian, and this volcano is significantly different from its neighbors Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Mauna Kea is currently considered dormant, having last erupted more than 4,500 years ago. Minor eruptions occur periodically, but since the main crater has not been preserved, the chemical composition of the lava is always different. Mauna Kea is a unique volcano because it was formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. Few people would think that there could be a glacier in Hawaii! In winter, the top of the volcano is covered with a snow cap.

Mahukona

Mahucona is an underwater volcano located off the northwest coast of the Big Island. It was once 243 m above sea level, but now it is located 1,100 m below. Translated from Hawaiian it means “steam coming from the leeward side of the island.”

Hualalai

The volcano is the third youngest and third most active volcano on the Big Island (after Mauna Loa and Kilauea). The city of Kailua-Kona, home of the famous Kona coffee, is built on the southwestern slope of the Hualalai volcano. The volcano is named after the wife of the famous Hawaiian navigator Hawaii Loa.

In the past, the volcano erupted frequently. 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.

Volcanoes of Maui

West and East Maui are two volcanoes that form the island.

East Maui

This volcano is also known as Haleakala, the second volcano after Kilauea to erupt after the 18th century. This third largest volcano boasts a fair number of eruptions: ten in the past 10,000 years. The last eruption occurred in 1790. Ten eruptions in 10,000 years - in specific geological time frames 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 suggest that this volcano was formed approximately 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

There are two volcanoes on the island: Western Molokai(sometimes called Mauna Loa) and Eastern Molokai(Vailau).

The West Molokai volcano is the smaller of these, while the East Molokai volcano occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island. Most of the East Molokai volcano is located below sea level, under layers of lava from other volcanoes.

Volcanoes of Oahu

The Ko'olau and Waianae volcanoes formed the island of Oahu. Waianae dominates the western (windward) side of the island, while Ko'olau can be seen on the eastern (leeward) side of the island.

Ko'olau is a basaltic volcano that forms two-thirds of the island.

Diamond Head Crater, Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater attract thousands of tourists every year. Ko'olau is also a favorite subject of study due to the special composition of the lava of this volcano, which contains more quartz than the lava of other Hawaiian volcanoes.

The Waianae volcano is taller and more ancient than Ko'olau. Moreover, it erupts less frequently, which allows coastal waters to remain clean.

The Hawaiian Islands expand and change their shape 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 (and continue to be) formed.

The surface of these islands is literally dotted with mounds of craters of extinct volcanoes. Falling to the ground and quickly cooling, the lava took on the bizarre shape of long streams, reminiscent of glassy human hair, which the Hawaiians from ancient times called the Strands of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. For thousands of years, waves and wind brought spores and plant seeds here, and on the fertile volcanic soil they produced abundant seedlings. This is how this strange, bizarre and defiantly beautiful world arose - Hawaii.

Volcanoes of Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the Hawaiian Islands that are part of Polynesia. The Hawaiian archipelago is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and consists of eight large islands, 124 small islets, reefs and shoals. In addition, the Hawaiian Islands are the fiftieth state of the United States of America, and of extraordinary beauty.

Islands rise from the depths of the ocean to the very skies. For example, the peak of Mauna Kea reaches a height of 4178 m. In other words, today Hawaii, like other Pacific islands, are the peaks of submerged volcanoes. Another natural attraction of Hawaii is located on the island of Maui - in the area of ​​​​the extinct volcano Haleakala, famous for its amazing landscapes.

The island of Hawaii is the largest and youngest in the archipelago and also the most extreme: it is located at the southern end of the so-called Hawaiian chain. Moreover, thanks to the constant accumulation of hardening lava on the shores, the island is growing in size day by day. Hawaii is located directly above one of the primary "hot spots" of the Pacific Plate. Lava spilling out from the Kilauea volcano flows to the ocean, burning everything in its path: trees, farmland, and, cooling from contact with sea water, forms ever new soil layers.

However, Kilauea is not an ordinary volcano: it is a huge mountain, the top of which forms a crater, or caldera. Red-hot lava flows down the slopes of the mountain. However, it comes to the surface not from a crater, like ordinary volcanoes, but in a much simpler way - from a cone-shaped crevice in the side of Kilauea, called Pu-Oo. Lava from Kilauea, having traveled an 11-kilometer path along the volcano channel, splashes out of Pu-Oo and flows further to the ocean.

Kilauea Volcano has continued to erupt through Pu'o'o since January 3, 1983, making it the longest eruption ever recorded in the Hawaiian Islands. And there is no end in sight for him yet. What is noteworthy is that by 1995, as a result, 202.5 hectares of additional island surface were added, and the daily volume of erupted lava is about 480 thousand cubic meters.

Amazing landscapes of the island of Hawaii

Volcanoes significantly influence the climate on the island of Hawaii. Thus, in the east, humid and foggy weather prevails, as a result of which this area abounds in tropical vegetation, rivers and waterfalls; There are also lush orchid plantations there. On the other hand, the western coast is mountainous, parched by the sun. Sandy beaches stretch along it, and the slopes of ancient volcanoes are covered with coffee plantations.

Inactive volcanoes have long been an integral part of the landscape of the island of Hawaii. And above all this splendor reigns another majestic volcano, Mauna Kea. Other amazing volcanoes, previously considered by us, are located in Ethiopia.

To protect and preserve this unique collection of volcanoes, as well as rare plant and animal species, the United States Congress decided in 1916 to create the island of Hawaii Hawaii Volcanoes National Park(Hawaii-Volkainos), part of . Every year it is visited by about two and a half million tourists who want to see with their own eyes what the forces that created the Earth as we know it are capable of. That is why Hawaiian volcanoes are one of the most impressive wonders of nature and amazing natural beauty.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a striking evidence of the volcanic processes that occurred over 70 million years, as a result of which the Hawaiian Islands were formed with a unique set of ecosystems. The park includes 1,309 km2 of territory, stretching from sea level to the peaks of the largest volcanoes on the planet: Mauna Loa with a height of 4169 m and Kilauea, the most active volcano in the world, giving scientists an understanding of the origins of the Hawaiian Islands, and for tourists it serves as a place for viewing unique volcanic landscapes.

The park's climate is varied, ranging from tropical rainforests to the arid and barren Kau Desert. About half of the national park is wilderness designated for hiking and camping. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was awarded International Biosphere Reserve status in 1980, and in 1987 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The unique landscapes of the park attract about 2.5 million tourists annually.

History of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The first Westerner, English missionary William Ellis and American Asa Thurston, visited the Kilauea volcano in 1823. Ellis describes his first impression of the erupting volcano: “A stunning, even terrifying sight appeared before our eyes. We stopped and trembled with fear. Surprise and fear shackled us for several minutes, and, like statues, we froze motionless, our eyes glued to the abyss below.” Since that time, millions of tourists have visited Hawaii Volcanoes Park to watch the movement of hot lava flows. Numerous eruptions and lava flows attract both specialists and scientists, as well as ordinary travelers.

Beginning in the 1840s, Kilauea Volcano became a tourist attraction. Local businessmen Benjamin Pitman and George Lycurgus built hotels here to accommodate tourists. William R. Castle first proposed the idea for the park in 1903 to Lorrin Thurston, who at the time owned the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper. In 1907, 50 members of Congress and their families visited the Hawaiian Islands. They visited the Halikala and Kilauea volcanoes, where lunch was prepared for them on steaming lava vents. Hawaii Governor Walter Freer proposed a bill in 1911 to create "Kīlauea National Park." Thurston and local landowner William Herbert Shipman outlined the proposed boundaries of the future park, but ran into resistance from ranchers in the area. Thurston then enlisted the support of one of the most famous conservationists, John Muir, the then famous statesman and historian Henry Cabot, and former US President Theodore Roosevelt. After several unsuccessful attempts, the bill to create the park was finally approved. Congressional Resolution 9525 was signed by Woodrow Wilson on August 1, 1916. It became the 11th National Park in the United States and the first in Hawaii. It was originally called Hawaii National Park, and on September 22, 1960, it separated from Halekala National Park and became Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In 2004, an additional 468.58 km2 was added to the national park, increasing it by 56%. It was the largest land purchase in Hawaii's history. The site was purchased for $21.9 million.

The Hawaiian Islands were formed in the ocean millions of years ago due to volcanic processes. Today, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the big island of Hawaii is one of the few places on the planet where a person can come face to face with an active volcano. The park provides a safe opportunity to explore Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, making Hawaii one of the world's largest tourist destinations.

Most of the world's volcanoes are conical in shape. In contrast, Hawaii is dominated by shield volcanoes, which were formed as a result of numerous eruptions of liquid lava, forming a flat shield. The shield shape is characteristic of volcanoes that eject basaltic lava, since it usually has a lower viscosity and spreads to distant distances from the eruption site. A good example of such volcanoes is Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on the planet by volume, covering half of the largest island in Hawaii.

Today, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the number one attraction on the islands. It is a real living museum where visitors can personally experience the power of the underground forces of nature. Here you can feel the supernatural power of nature as you travel through rocky paths and desert areas that will eventually become covered with lush vegetation and form various forms of life.

There are currently three active volcanoes in Hawaii. Maunaloa and Kilauea are located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Another Loihi volcano is located underwater on the southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Erupting since 1996, it may be responsible for the formation of a new island tens of thousands of years later, adding a 9th island to the Hawaiian island chain. Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on the planet in terms of volume and area covered by lava, and one of five volcanoes that form the island of Hawaii. The Hawaiian name Mauna Loa means “Long Mountain.” The erupting lava is poor in silicon, and therefore liquid and flowing. As a result, eruptions are usually not explosive, and the volcano has a relatively flat slope.
Mauna Loa's most recent eruption occurred from March 24 to April 15, 1984. Its most recent eruptions caused no casualties, but eruptions in 1926 and 1950 destroyed many nearby villages. Mauna Loa has been intensively monitored by the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory since 1912. Observations are carried out at the Mauna Loa Observatory, located near its summit.

Kilauea is the youngest of the volcanoes on the big island of Hawaii, having formed over the last 100 years. Its caldera is surrounded by 17 km of road, which provides easy access to the fantastic attractions it contains. For visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea is the number one attraction for a number of reasons: it is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, providing excellent lava viewing, and it is relatively safe to visit because its eruptions are not explosive.

The name Kilauea means “throws away” or “throws a lot” in Hawaiian. The height of the volcano reaches 1247 m, and the caldera is almost 5 km long and about 3.6 km wide. Lava has been flowing continuously from the volcano since January 3, 1983. Kilauea is currently the most active volcano on the planet and an invaluable resource for volcanologists. It is also considered the most frequently visited volcano on the planet. The volume of lava flowing from the volcano is sufficient to pave a road around the earth's surface three times. Kilauea is the last of a series of volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian archipelago.

Kilauea Volcano and its caldera have traditionally been considered the sacred home of Pele, the goddess of Hawaiian volcanoes. From time immemorial, Haitians visited this crater to give their generous gifts to the goddess. Legends say that eruptions occur when the goddess is angry. Such concepts are included in tribal chants and are often used by the local people of the islands. In 1790, a detachment of warriors from a local tribe, along with women and children who were in this territory, were caught in an unusually powerful volcanic eruption. Many died, and others left their marks on the lava, which can be clearly seen today.

Hawaiian volcanoes are noted in the history of the Hawaiian Islands. In 1923, Hawaii's first airstrip designed to receive aircraft was built on the park's territory. In the 1930s, the Hawaiian Volcanoes Park was home to the Civilian Conservation Corps, whose main goal was to preserve the park's natural resources. The infrastructure of the national park created in those years is used to this day. The scars of World War II are visible in the areas where military pilots practiced bombing attacks. The Kilauea military camp housed captured World War II soldiers.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park preserves the island's indigenous culture and preserves numerous archaeological sites—tangible reminders of the indigenous people forever connected to the land.