Tourists flock to Volcano National Park to catch a glimpse of flowing lava.
Volcano National Park is one of Hawaii's most visited tourist attractions. The Big Island is comprised of five shield volcanoes, including Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Today, there are only two active volcanoes in Hawaii, Mauna Loa and Kilauea, but they are active enough to make the Hawaiian Islands the home of the most active volcanoes in the world. Volcanic activity defines the geography of Hawaii. Millions of years ago volcanic activity formed the islands.
Hot Spot
Volcanoes erupting in the Pacific Ocean created the Hawaiian Island chain, making Hawaii an exception to the volcanic rule. Typically, volcanoes occur near the edge of tectonic plates. However, the Hawaiian Islands formed 1,988 miles away from the nearest tectonic plate boundary. This unusual hot spot is home to the world's most active volcanoes. The Big Island is the youngest and largest Hawaiian Island created by volcanic activity. Due to flowing lava, the island continues to increase in size.
Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in the world. When measured from the top to its base on the sea floor, Mauna Loa is actually the largest mountain in the world. With a vigorously active history, Mauna Loa has erupted 30 times in the past 200 years, with eight eruptions in the 19th century and eight eruptions in the 20th century. The volcano was last active in when it erupted in 1984. Although there is no lava currently flowing, Mauna Loa is continually monitored because the threat of eruption is still great.
Kilauea
Spewing lava, Kilauea has erupted 47 times in the last 200 years, with four eruptions in the 19th century and five eruptions in the 20th century. Explosions at the summit killed 80 Hawaiian warriors in 1790. It was last active in 1983. Kilauea is located on the Big Island and is the younger neighbor of Mauna Loa in Volcano National Park. Today, tourists flock to Kilauea to catch a glimpse of the steam, blasts and collapsing walls that characterize the southeastern edge and its lake of boiling lava.
Other Volcanoes
Although Mauna Loa and Kilauea are the most famous volcanoes, the Hawaiian Islands are home to many other volcanoes. Hualalai was last active in 1800 and has only erupted once in the last 200 years, however, this shield volcano is still considered highly hazardous. Haleakala also erupted only once in the past 200 years. Last active in 1790, this volcano is considered to be in its last stages of its volcanic cycle. Kohala is the oldest shield volcano on the Big Island. It has not erupted in 60,000 years. Today, the probability of eruption is very low. Without any information on its last activity or number of eruptions, Loihi is monitored beneath the ocean for seismic activity.
Tags: Hawaiian Islands, active volcanoes, Mauna Kilauea, National Park, Volcano National