Hawaii Outdoor Guides » Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour Groups at Kilauea’s Halemaumau Crater

Volcanoes of the Big Island: Hawaii’s Geological Marvels

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 08:42:36 +0000

Kilauea Summit Eruption With Fumes

Hawaii, a tropical paradise in the heart of the Pacific, is renowned not only for its idyllic beaches, diverse marine life, and unique cultural heritage but also for its spectacular geological features: its volcanoes. The Big Island, the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago, is home to some of the world’s most active and studied volcanoes. This article delves deep into the heart of the Big Island’s volcanic wonders.

1. A Brief Geological Background

The Hawaiian Islands are a product of the Pacific tectonic plate moving over a hotspot, a region in the Earth’s mantle from which heat rises through the process of mantle convection. As the plate moves, the hotspot creates a succession of volcanic islands. The Big Island sits on the southeastern end, and as such, it is the youngest and still volcanically active.

2. Mauna Loa: The Earth’s Largest Volcano

By volume and area, Mauna Loa is the world’s largest shield volcano, covering half of the Big Island. While its elevation is around 13,678 feet above sea level, if measured from its base on the seafloor, it stands taller than Mount Everest! Mauna Loa is particularly notable for its frequent eruptions, which tend to be non-explosive due to the fluid nature of the basaltic lavas, but are vast in volume. Its most recent eruptions occurred in 1942, 1975, 1984, and 2022. The volcano’s sheer size and active status have made it a focal point for scientific studies and monitoring.

3. Kīlauea: The World’s Most Active Volcano

Adjacent to Mauna Loa lies Kīlauea, the world’s most active volcano. Unlike the expansive slopes of Mauna Loa, Kīlauea has a more pronounced caldera and a complex system of rift zones. Eruptions at Kīlauea can occur at the summit or along its rift zones, leading to spectacular lava flows that reach the ocean. The 2018 eruption was particularly significant, as it destroyed hundreds of homes and reshaped the landscape around the lower East Rift Zone. The Halemaʻumaʻu crater at its summit has also been the site of ongoing activity, with a lava lake that has fluctuated over the years.

4. Mauna Kea: The Tallest Mountain from Base to Peak

While Mauna Loa claims the title for the largest shield volcano, Mauna Kea steals the show when considering the base-to-peak height. Starting from the seafloor, Mauna Kea measures over 33,500 feet, dwarfing even Everest by this metric. Interestingly, Mauna Kea is currently dormant, with its last eruption occurring over 4,000 years ago. Today, it’s better known for the Mauna Kea Observatories, a collection of astronomical research facilities that benefit from the mountain’s clear skies and high altitude.

5. Hualālai: The Western Sentinel

Hualālai, on the Big Island’s west coast, is the third most active volcano on the island. Its last significant eruption was in 1801, but it has displayed signs of unrest since. With 100 cinder cones on its surface, Hualālai’s eruptions are explosive and pose a potential risk to the nearby Kona coast.

6. Kohala: The Ancestor Mountain

Kohala is the oldest volcano on the Big Island, having last erupted around 60,000 years ago. It stands as a testament to the island’s geological history, with deep valleys and ridges carved by eons of erosion.

The Relationship Between Culture and Volcanoes

The volcanoes of the Big Island are deeply intertwined with Hawaiian culture. Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes, is believed to reside in Kīlauea. Legends of her feuds and travels across the islands have been passed down through generations, and many Hawaiians pay respect to her through chants, dances, and offerings.

Conclusion

The volcanoes of the Big Island are not only a testament to the dynamic forces that shape our planet but also serve as a bridge to the rich tapestry of Hawaiian culture and mythology. They stand as both a reminder of nature’s awe-inspiring power and a symbol of the islands’ enduring spirit. Whether you’re a geologist, a history enthusiast, or just a curious traveler, the volcanoes of the Big Island promise a deep and enriching experience.

Island of Hawaii Volcano Update: May 7, 2018

Tue, 08 May 2018 10:27:28 +0000

ISLAND OF HAWAII VOLCANO UPDATE

May 7, 2018

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There is absolutely no reason at this time for travelers to change or alter their leisure or business plans.

All of the Hawaiian Islands are unaffected by Kilauea volcano except a remote area on the island of Hawaii’s east side. Out of the island’s 4,028 square miles, only less than a 10-square-mile area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions in Puna is affected.

Air Access: All flights into the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole – KOA (west) and Hilo International Airport – ITO (east) are operating normally.

Accommodations and Activities: All accommodations, activities and attractions on the island are also operating normally, with the exception of those in the area affected by the lava activity.

Air Quality: The clean and safe air quality on the island of Hawaii remains largely unchanged with this situation. However, air quality near where the lava is flowing can be hazardous (SO2-sulfur dioxide), which is why officials are keeping people out of the affected areas and continuing to monitor air quality.

Aloha,

As news of volcanic activity taking place in East Hawaii continues to make headlines around the world, it is important that travelers headed to the island of Hawaii understand that there is absolutely no reason at this time to change or alter your leisure or business plans.

AIRPORTS, ACCOMMODATIONS & ACTIVITIES

All airports on the island of Hawaii continue to operate normally.
All accommodations, activities and attractions on the island are also operating normally, with the exception of those in the area affected by the lava activity.
Visitors who have already booked a trip to the island of Hawaii with accommodations or activities on the east side, should call their provider with any questions or concerns.

ERUPTION LOCATION

The volcanic activity and where lava has flowed is limited to an isolated area in lower Puna on the island’s east side.
This is more than 100 miles away from the western Kohala and Kona Coasts, where the island’s major visitor accommodations and resorts are located. This is the area furthest from the current activity.
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, and has been erupting for the past 35 years.
The topography of the island between east and west is unconducive for a natural flow.
Out of the island’s 4,028 square miles, only less than a 10-square-mile area of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions in the district of Puna is affected.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Eruption Map

https://bit.ly/2JV840r

AIR QUALITY

The clean and safe air quality on the island of Hawaii remains unchanged with this situation. However, air quality near active eruption sites can be hazardous (SO2-sulfur dioxide), which is why officials are keeping people out of the outbreak areas and continue to monitor air quality at the active eruption site. To view real-time air quality conditions around the island, visit http://www.hiso2index.info/.

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

On May 6, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopened partially with limited services. The following areas are open:

The Park’s Entrance Station from Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) to Jaggar Museum is open from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Jaggar Museum will close at 8:00 p.m. (the outdoor overlook will remain open until 10:00 p.m.)
Kilauea Visitor Center is open from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sulphur Banks Trail
Steam Vents parking lot
Crater Rim Trail is open from Kilauea Overlook to Jaggar Museum only
The Entrance Station to the 1969 lava flow near Maunaulu
Maunaulu to Puuhuluhulu (Napau Trail is closed past Puuhuluhulu)
Escape Road from Highway 11 to Maunaulu
Maunaloa Road from Highway 11 to the Maunaloa Lookout and Kipukapuaulu
The no-fly zone over Kilauea remains

For Hawaii Volcanoes National Park updates, visit https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm.

ACCESSIBILITY IN EAST HAWAII

As active volcanic vents are erupting in the area, all residents of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions are required to evacuate.
Pohoiki Road is closed from the intersection at Highway 132 down to Highway 137 to allow evacuation efforts of residents in Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions to proceed whenever possible.
Residents and visitors who do not have official business in the active evacuation area (Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens Subdivisions) are asked to stay away to keep the roads as clear as possible and allow homeowners to evacuate.
Temporary flight restrictions are in place for most of lower Puna. Drones will be confiscated in this area.
Those who have rented accommodations or made tour reservations in the general area should check with those respective companies for the latest updates.
Unless otherwise noted, area businesses are open and accessible. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and be prepared for increased traffic.
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks has closed Lava Tree State Monument and Mackenzie State Recreation Area until further notice.
As a safety precaution, the County of Hawaii has closed the Kalapana Viewing Area until further notice.

VOLCANOES IN HAWAII

Eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes are typically nonexplosive or weakly explosive. Hawaiian eruptions, which is a term used by volcanologists worldwide to characterize similar eruptive style at other volcanoes, are usually gentle due to its highly fluid lava composition which tends to flow freely both beneath the surface and upon eruption. For more information about Hawaiian eruptions, visit https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hawaii/page26.html.

Travelers planning a trip to the island of Hawaii who have questions can contact the Hawaii Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).

Mahalo,

Ross Birch

Executive Director

Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau

For a copy of this and other updates, visit: http://hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/special-alert/

HELPFUL LINKS

Hawaii County Civil Defense

http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts

Hawaii County Eruption Map

https://bit.ly/2JV840r

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory / USGS

https://on.doi.gov/2FEPVBm