Hawaiian volcano eruption lava. Traveling America: Hawaii

national park Hawaiian volcanoes is a clear evidence of the activity of volcanic processes that took place over 70 million years, as a result of which the Hawaiian Islands were formed with a unique complex of ecosystems. The park includes 1,309 km2 of territory stretching from sea level to the tops 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 origin of the Hawaiian Islands, and for tourists serves as a viewing point for unique volcanic landscapes.

The climate of the park is very diverse, from tropical rainforests to the arid and barren Cau Desert. About half of the territory national park is a wilderness reserved for hiking and camping. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park was awarded the status of an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980, and in 1987 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The unique landscapes of the park annually attract about 2.5 million tourists.

History of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

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

Beginning in the 1840s, the Kilauea volcano became a tourist attraction. Local businessmen Benjamin Pitman and George Lycurgus built hotels here to receive tourists. William R. Castle first pitched 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 Haleakala and Kilauea volcanoes, where lunch was prepared for them on steaming lava vents. Hawaii Governor Walter Freher proposed a bill in 1911 to create a "Kīlauea National Park". Thurston and local landowner William Herbert Shipman marked out the proposed boundaries of the future park, but ran into resistance from ranchers located in the area. Then Thurston enlisted the support of one of the most famous conservationists, John Muir, the well-known statesman and historian of that time, 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 the Hawaii National Park, and on September 22, 1960, it separated from the Halekala National Park and became the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. In 2004, an additional 468.58 km2 were added to the national park area, thus increasing it by 56%. It was the largest land purchase in Hawaiian 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, the Hawaiian 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 risk-free opportunity to explore Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, which makes Hawaii one of the largest tourist regions in the world.

Most volcanoes in the world 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 gentle shield. The shield form is characteristic of volcanoes ejecting basaltic lava, since it, as a rule, has a lower viscosity and spreads at remote 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, the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park is the number one attraction on the islands. It is a real living museum where visitors can see for themselves 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, which over time will become covered with lush vegetation and form various forms of life.

There are currently three active volcanoes in Hawaii. Maunaloa and Kilauea are located within the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. Another volcano, Loihi, is located underwater on the southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Erupting since 1996, it could cause a new island to form in tens of thousands of years, and add 9 islands to the chain Hawaiian Islands. Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on the planet in terms of volume and area covered by lava, and one of the five volcanoes that form the island of Hawaii. The Hawaiian name Mauna Loa means "Long Mountain". Erupting lava is scarce in silicon, and therefore liquid and fluid. As a result of this, eruptions are generally non-explosive, and the volcano has a relatively gentle escarpment.
The most recent eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano occurred from March 24 to April 15, 1984. Its last eruptions caused no loss of life, but the eruptions of 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 past 100 years. Its caldera is surrounded by 17 km of road which provides easy access to the fantastic sights it contains. For visitors to the Hawaiian 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 a great opportunity to watch the amazing spectacle of lava flow, and it is relatively safe to visit because its eruptions are not explosive in nature.

The name Kilauea in Hawaiian means "throws out" or "throws a lot." 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. Currently, Kilauea is 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 out of the volcano is sufficient to pave the way around the earth's surface three times. Kilauea is the latest in a series of volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian archipelago.

The Kilauea volcano and its caldera have traditionally been considered the sacred home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. From time immemorial, Haitians have visited this crater to pay 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 inhabitants of the islands. In 1790, a detachment of warriors of the local tribe, along with women and children who were in this area, fell under an unusually powerful volcanic eruption. Many died, and others left their footprints on the lava, which can be clearly seen today.

Hawaiian volcanoes are marked in the history of the Hawaiian Islands. On the territory of the park in 1923, the first take-off area in Hawaii was built, designed to receive aircraft. In the 1930s, the civilian environmental corps worked on the territory of the Hawaii Volcanoes Park, the main goal of which was aimed at preserving natural resources parka. The infrastructure of the national park created in those years is still used today. The scars of World War II are visible in areas where military pilots practiced the practice of bombing. On the territory of the Kilauea military camp, captured soldiers of the Second World War were kept.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Preserves Culture local residents islands and protects numerous archaeological sites- material reminders of the indigenous people, forever associated with this land.

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. The Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park is one of the few places on the planet where it is relatively safe to observe 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, the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park received the status of an International Biosphere Reserve, and in 1987 it was included in the list. world heritage UNESCO. The unique volcanic landscapes of the park annually attract about 3 million tourists.

What is special about Hawaiian volcanoes?

Brief description of the park

Geological features. The Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park stretches from sea level to an altitude of 4169 meters and includes the largest (Mauna Loa) and most active (Kilauea) volcanoes in the world. Kilauea has been in almost continuous eruptions since 1983; Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. Volcanic features within the park include calderas, crater pits, cinder cones, fumaroles, geysers, solfataras, 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 opportunities for camping.

biological features. The park covers a diverse natural environment, ranging from the coast of the sea 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 hawksbill (tortoise), nene (Hawaiian goose), Hawaiian petrel, Hawaiian hawk, Hawaiian gray and white bat, Hawaiian flower bugs (bird), carnivorous caterpillars, and smiling spiders.

Cultural Features. The Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park preserves Native Hawaiian archaeological sites. The park is famous for the Puu Loa petroglyphs (Pu "u Loa petroglyphs) - the largest concentration of ancient petroglyphs in Hawaii (about 20,000).

Dimensions: area 1308 km2, 106 km paved roads, 249 km 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), the length is 112 km, the width is 48 km. Eruptions, as a rule, are not explosive in nature, the lava is poor in silicon dioxide, therefore it is very liquid. Due to these features, slightly inclined slopes of the volcano were formed. The last eruption of Mauna Loa occurred from March 24 to April 15, 1984 and on this moment the volcano is inactive. The 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 the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. It has a large, relatively recent caldera and two active rift zones. Rift zones are a feature of shield volcanoes in Hawaii. Cracks in the volcanic structure allow lava to erupt away from the top of the volcano. For example, the Kilauea volcano is currently erupting from the Puu Oo vent, located in the eastern rift zone of Kilauea, about 15 km east of the Kilauea crater itself.

Kilauea's current eruption began on January 3, 1983, and is by far the longest-lived active volcano in the world. As of January 2011, the eruption had ejected 3.5 cubic kilometers of lava, covering an area of 123.2 km2.

The active state of Kilauea has a significant impact on the ecology of its slopes. Plant growth is often interrupted by fresh outpourings of molten lava, and windblown volcanic sulphurous gases cause acid rain, especially in the barren southwestern rift zone known as the Kaʻū Desert.

Historically, the five volcanoes on the island were considered sacred to the Hawaiians. In Hawaiian mythology, the Kilauea caldera and Halemaumau crater are home to Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes.

Kilauea is considered the most frequently visited volcano on the planet due to the opportunity to observe molten lava flows. It is relatively safe to visit as its eruptions are non-explosive.

Interesting places(attractions) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Kilauea Information Center(Kilauea Visitor Center) is located a couple of hundred meters from the entrance to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the right side of the road. As a rule, this is the first stop for about 3 million tourists who visit the national park every year. If you want to know more about the park, where to go, what to do, current lava eruptions, stop here. 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 hiking routes, pick up souvenirs. The Kilauea Information Center is open daily from 07:45 am to 05:00 pm.

Thomas Jagger Museum located along Crater Rim Drive, 3 km from the Kilauea Information Center. WITH observation deck The museum offers a panorama of the caldera and Halemaumau crater. The exhibits include equipment previously used by scientists to study volcanoes. There is a gift shop for tourists. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory adjoins the Jagger Museum, but it is closed to the public. The museum is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00.

caves The Hawaiian volcanoes of the National Park are composed mainly of lava tubes. Lava tubes are natural channels through which flows of molten liquid rock move under the earth's surface 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 of a local newspaper. At the time of discovery, the ceiling of the cave was covered with lava stalactites, but soon they were quickly taken apart for souvenirs. Thurston Lava Tube is open for daily access. Private tour operators offer tours of Thurston Lava Tube and other similar caves around the Big Island of Hawaii, in particular tour operators Native Guide Hawaii(www.nativeguidehawaii.com) and Kilauea Caverns of Fire(www.kilaueacavernsoffire.com).

Pua Poo- Another cave of this type. It is sometimes referred to as the "secret lava tube" of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. There is very little information about this cave. The visit is possible only every Wednesday, accompanied by a park ranger. You must 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 continuously erupting 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 over 117 square kilometers and added 0.93 km2 of land on the southeast coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. In 1986, a lava flow from Puu Oo destroyed most of the village of Kapalana (Kalapana). The Wahalua Information Center and an ancient Hawaiian temple are other victims of Puu Oo.

lava flows. Most visitors to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are most interested in seeing molten lava flows in Kilauea's active zone. Since 1983, the Kilauea volcano has continuously erupted lava 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 some places reaches 35 m. The nature of the volcano is unstable, sometimes there is a river of lava, other times nothing. At the moment, the end of Chain of Craters Road is the best place park to observe the movement of molten lava. Sometimes you can see lava flows at the end of the road near the ranger station. Usually, you need to walk a few more kilometers through the lava fields. The most spectacular moment is when lava in the dark flows into the ocean, hiding in clouds of steam. Puu Oo crater erupts fresh lava flows.

Halemaumau crater(Halemaumau crater) is located in the center of the Kilauea caldera. Halemaumau in Hawaiian mythology is the home 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 is a constant reminder of the bubbling lava deep within the crater. After sunset, Halemaumau arouses the interest of visitors with its bright glow.

Kilauea Iki(Kīlauea Iki) is currently inactive. But in 1959 it was a lake of bubbling lava, fountains of molten rock rose to a height of up to 580 m. The crater is 1.6 km long and almost 1 km wide, the bottom is more than 100 meters below the observation platform. Around Kilauea Iki there is a 6 km circular trail.

Petroglyphs of Puu Loa(Pu "u Loa petroglyphs). A trail about 2 km long from the Chain of Craters Road leads to the site of the largest concentration of ancient petroglyphs in Hawaii. Puu Loa petroglyphs (Pu" u Loa petroglyphs) are considered a sacred place for native Hawaiians who have carved more than 20 000 drawings on the surface of the lava. It is believed that petroglyphs immortalized important events in the life of the Hawaiians. The drawings depict animals, human figures, abstract forms. In the old days, the Hawaiians made holes here to store the umbilical cords of babies and then covered them with stones. According to legend, this gave the child health and longevity. The car park and trailhead are located between mile markers 16 and 17 along Chain of Craters Road. A boardwalk has been laid in the area of the petroglyphs. Not all petroglyphs are clearly visible, so as not to trample or damage them, walk along the boardwalk all the time.

Sulfur deposits(Sulphur Banks). In outcropping 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 with a rotten egg smell). Remember - the outgoing gases of volcanoes are hazardous to health. Visitors with heart or respiratory conditions (particularly those with asthma), pregnant women, and young children should avoid this visit.

Fumaroles(Steam Vents) - the release of hot steam from the cracks and channels of the volcano. Groundwater percolates down to the hot volcanic rocks and returns to the surface in the form of steam. Don't stand too close to the fumaroles on a cold day because you'll be wet after taking this "Pele bath".

Roads

Driving is the most popular way to visit the most interesting places in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The two main roads visitors will have to travel on (Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road) are paved. Currently, 12 km of the Chain of Craters Road near the village of Kalapana is completely covered with lava.

Chain of Craters Road- a 37 km road through the eastern rift zone of the Kilauea volcano and the coast of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. Altogether, it descends from a height of 1128 m and abuts a lava flow across the road on the south coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Repeated eruptions of the Kilauea volcano between 1986 and 1996 shortened the road by 12 km, covered the coastal area with lava flows, destroyed Kaimu Beach (one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii), a 12th century Hawaiian temple, and almost completely buried the village of Kalapana. The road has branches that offer a panorama of various volcanic landscapes: craters, active and frozen lava flows, columns of gas. The main attraction of the trip along this road is the Holei Sea Arch. At the end of the road is the ranger station. From here, walk a few kilometers along the coast to see molten lava flows.

Crater Rim Drive Map

Crater Rim Drive– 18 km ring road around the Kilauea caldera. This 18 km ring road circles the top of the Kilauea caldera and craters, passes through patches of rainforest and lava desert, stopping at panoramic scenery and trails for short walks. It starts almost immediately after entering the territory of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and passes by sulfur deposits (Sulphur Banks), fumaroles (hot volcanic steam jets), the Jagger Museum. From here, the road descends through the rift zone to the caldera floor to Halemaumau Crater. Further, the road goes up and passes the smaller craters Keanakakoy (Keanakākoi Crater) and Kilauea Iki (Kīlauea Iki Crater), through fern thickets, past the lava cave Thurston Lava Tube and returns to the administrative area of the park. Crater Rim Drive

What to do, what to do, tours by local operators

The Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park has over 240 km of hiking trails. Trails range from easy (Kipukapuaulu) to long (Mauna Loa Trail) hikes. They not only cross lava fields, but also deserts, tropical forests, beaches, and in winter snowy slopes at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters. Trail maps and more useful information can be obtained from the Kilauea Visitor Center, open from 7:45 am to 5:00 pm daily. Check the weather before you go hiking, it can be cool and rainy at any time of the year, 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 starts at the Information Center, descends through the ferns to the Kilauea Iki crater, then crosses the crater floor and passes a crater where a 36-day fire-breathing lava fountain erupted in 1959.

Halemaumau Trail. The 5.5 km trail starts at the Visitor Centre, descends to the bottom of the Kilauea caldera and ends near the Halemaumau crater viewpoint.

Devastation Trail 1 km long allows you to see the Kilauea Iki crater, where the volcano erupted in 1959. Hikes accompanied by park rangers (free of charge) are offered throughout the day.

Kipuka Puaula (Bird Park) Trail. The 2.5 km long trail allows you to see the Hawaiian flora and fauna in a small oasis in the middle of lava fields. For some reason, the red-hot lava bypassed this place and left untouched a section of the forest. Trail starts from Mauna Loa Road. Set out early in the morning or evening (even better, right after the rain) to see Hawaiian birds.

Mauna Loa Trail. This is one of the most challenging hiking trails in Hawaii. The 31 km trail starts at the end of the road and climbs to the top of Mauna Loa (4136 m), where nighttime temperatures drop below zero throughout the year. It often snows 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.

Observation of molten lava from Kalapana Cultural Tours. This is one of the few tour operators that provides trips to the place of outflow of fire-breathing lava. The tour starts at approximately 3:30 pm, first with a minibus ride, then a few kilometers of hiking 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), the return back is already 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, website 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's closer). The 50-minute Circle of Fire/Waterfalls tour (with Hilo) includes waterfalls, valleys and beaches in addition to volcanoes; 70-minute Big Island Spectacular (from Waikoloa), views rainforests, waterfalls and volcanoes. If you prefer airplanes to helicopters, try Big Island Air (www.bigislandair.com). The 1-hour tour from Kona Airport includes a tour of all 5 volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Weather

The weather in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is extremely changeable. At the top of Kilauea (1247 m), the weather changes daily and can be rainy and cold at any time of the year. The temperature varies depending on the altitude. At the top of the volcano, the temperature is 12 - 15 degrees lower than on the coast. The coastal zone is generally warm, dry and windy. Come prepared, bring a windbreaker, long trousers, and closed-top shoes (not sandals).

Where to stay

Volcano Village. Since the formation of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park in 1916, a tiny Volcano Village has appeared at the entrance to its territory. There are several streets with two shops, several restaurants, a post office, cafes and a fire department. Volcano Village does not have traffic lights, a church or a cemetery, but it does have a winery (website www.volcanowinery.com). Anyone can stop here and taste local wines made from honey and tropical fruits. The village is surrounded by tropical forest, with a lot of precipitation - 2500 mm per year.

Volcano Village is within 1 km from the entrance to Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. Highway 11 (Highway 11), leading 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 booked at www.emmaspencerliving.com

Small hotel Volcano House overlooking the Halemaumau crater in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was built in 1846. Even Mark Twain once stayed there during a visit to Hawaii. Website www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com

Camping

There are two campsites within the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park (Namakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki). Camping is free. Advance booking is not required, but stays are limited to 7 days per month.

Camping Namakanipaio located on Highway 11 (Highway 11) at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. It is a large, open lawn with tall trees. The campsite has toilets, water, picnic tables, barbecue facilities.

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 are restrooms 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 from 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.

Helpful information

The entrance fee to the park is charged to vehicles and cyclists. Keep your ticket, it's valid for seven consecutive days.

Prepare in advance for your visit. Take food and water with you, there are no outlets in the park. Wear appropriate shoes, long pants and a jacket.

For your safety, stay on the marked trails, pay attention to all warning signs, and stay away from the restricted area. Avoid harmful volcanic gases within the park.

Get the latest news at the Kilauea Information Centre. National park rangers will tell you where to go and how to get to hot lava places.

And finally, take a lot of time for your trip. To get the most out of all the highlights of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, consider staying at the Volcano House Hotel, nearby Volcano Village, or Hilo City, which is only a 45-minute drive away. The other big city of Kona is 2.5 hours one way.

The Hawaiian 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

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Because of his 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 can 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 of Hawaii is living proof that the volcanoes that formed them erupted many times before the moment when their top 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 chain of the Hawaiian Islands.

Volcanoes of the Big Island

mauna loa

Mauna Loa, 96 km long and 48 km wide, occupies an impressive 85% of the total land area of the islands. Translated from the Hawaiian Mauna Loa means "long mountain" - a volcano, whose 4,117 m are above the ocean surface. Being one of the highest mountains in the world, Mauna Loa is also the most active volcano in the world. Snow forms on top of the volcano in winter.

The first volcanic eruption occurred in 1843, followed by 33 more. The last eruption of Mauna Loa 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, which means that the volcano slowly "grew" thanks 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, Olympus Volcano on Mars, was formed.

The age of this volcano is more than 500,000 years, it is the oldest volcano located on land. 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 activity of the volcano began to fade 300,000 years ago, when the volcano was twice as wide as it is now. Kohala is currently completely inactive. As the researchers suggest, its last eruption occurred 120,000 years ago.

While the Kohala volcano was gradually dying out, the eruptions of the younger and more active volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa changed 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, being the youngest volcano in the volcanic chain of Hawaii, is located 1,000 m below the water level and is an underwater volcano. Loihi, 3,000 m high, is located off the southeast coast of the 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 woke up with a long eruption in 1996. Since this year, the volcano has been erupting 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 volcano Mauna Loa. 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. 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 cajole her in every possible way, she can be calm and merciful, but if she is angered, she can cause an eruption.

mauna kea

The Mauna Kea shield volcano rises 4,205 meters above the surface of the water, and more than 6,000 meters below sea level: a total height of more than 10 km makes this volcano the most high mountain on the ground. Translated from the Hawaiian language, "Mauna Kea" means "white mountain", and this volcano differs significantly from its neighbors - the volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Mauna Kea is currently considered dormant as its last eruption occurred over 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 formed glaciers 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. Once it was 243 m above sea level, but now it is located 1,100 m below. Translated from Hawaiian means "steam coming from the lee 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, the birthplace 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 the Hualalai volcano could still pose a threat to Hawaii.

Volcanoes of Maui

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 to erupt since 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 a special geological time frame, this number can be considered very large. Many scientists are sure that the volcano will wake up soon.

The word "Haleakala" can be translated as "house of the Sun", and the top of the volcano occupies a certain place in Hawaiian mythology. Haleakala crater on top of the volcano is currently very popular with tourists.

West Maui

Scientists suggest that this volcano 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

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

Volcano West Molokai is the smaller of these, while East Molokai 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 Koolaou and Waianae volcanoes 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 by specialists because of the special composition of the lava of this volcano, which contains more quartz than the lava of other Hawaiian volcanoes.

Waianae volcano is higher and older than Koolau. Moreover, it erupts less often, which allows coastal waters to remain clean.

The Hawaiian Islands expand and change their shape in parallel with each volcanic eruption. Due 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) shaped.

National Park "Hawaiian Volcanoes" - the only one of its kind in the United States, located at a considerable distance from the mainland.
There are two active volcanoes in the park - Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Kilauea is the most active volcano in the world and the youngest of the terrestrial Hawaiian volcanoes: it is only about 300-600 thousand years old. Its restless nature, impulsiveness caused by the incessant movement of magma, is also indicated by the local Hawaiian name: “ki-lau-za” means “spewing”. It has a gently sloping, somewhat convex thyroid cone, which is typical for Hawaiian volcanoes, composed of basaltic lava. The cone ends with a vast caldera - a recess similar to a man-made quarry, more than 200 m deep, at the bottom of which is the lava lake Galemau-mau (Halemaumau). The lake boils and splashes, throwing out fountains of red-hot drops that can burn through both metal and stone.
From below, from the bowels of the earth, such a gigantic force is pressing that one lake is not enough for the release of lava, and along the Western and Southeastern rift zones that diverge from the top of Kilauea, there are dozens of small craters and two cones - Puu-Oo and Kupayanakh, - from which lava also flows.
It is not surprising that the latest history of Kilauea is overgrown with legends. Hawaiians are sure that this is the palace of the goddess of fire, lightning and volcanoes Pele. They also named lava formations in her honor: Pele's Tears - lava particles cooled in the air in the form of drops, Pele's Hair - lava splashes escaping from the bowels of a volcano and frozen in the wind, Pele's Algae - lava bubbles cooled and burst when lava flows into the ocean.
Another volcano - Mauna Loa - ranks second in the world in terms of volume and height (if you take into account the underwater part) and occupies a good half of the island of Hawaii. It also has a flat top, and a noticeably elongated shape, which is reflected in the Hawaiian name of the volcano, which translates as "long mountain." The volcano is active, eruptions are not uncommon here - every 3-4 years. It differs from other volcanoes on the islands in that in winter its top is often covered with snow. According to Hawaiian legends, one of the sisters of the goddess Pele lives in Mauna Loa, and the sisters are at enmity, and therefore a very strong wind often blows between the volcanoes of Mauna Loa.
The first European to set foot on it in 1778 was the famous English navigator James Cook (1728-1779). After Cook, Catholic missionaries frequented here and built several churches here.
Subsequently, planters settled here: they appreciated the fertile volcanic soil and set up many sugar cane plantations, for which they brought workers from Asian countries.
In 1916, at the combined request of the population of the islands, scientists and state authorities, a national park was founded and any economic activity within its borders was prohibited.
Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawaii, in the state of Hawaii, USA. There are two active volcanoes in the park - Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Hawaiians have got used to the noisy neighborhood and even settle near volcanoes, where the soil is fatter and nature has taken care of heating and hot water.
The founders of the park pursued two goals: firstly, to create conditions for scientists studying the history of the emergence of the Hawaiian Islands and the processes of volcanism, and secondly, to satisfy the curiosity of everyone who wants to enjoy the spectacle of the amazing volcanic landscape, and also see the local flora and fauna in the wild.
Scientists work in a specially created volcanological station, as well as a geophysical observatory - the first permanent observatory of this type in the United States, opened back in 1912. Safe routes are organized for tourists: in the past, there were often cases when frivolous and arrogant travelers stayed here forever, dying in hot lava flows.
Hawaiians living around volcanoes have developed a rhythm of life depending on the eruptions. The soil around the volcanoes is very fertile, but during the eruption they throw out tephra (volcanic ash), hanging in the air and representing a danger to life. Subsequently, it falls in the form of acid rain. At this time, the islanders stay away from volcanoes, for example, fishing. The situation is recovering quite quickly, and people are returning to their usual activities, cultivating the soil near volcanoes.
But there are areas here where life is completely impossible, like the wild Cau desert, completely covered with hardened lava, sand and gravel, irrigated by acid rain. A local landmark - footprints in the ashes of the Kau desert - remained, according to Hawaiian legends, after the eruption of 1790. It was in this year that the leader Kauhuula with soldiers crossed the desert after defeating the leader Kamehameha, and eighty of his soldiers suffocated due to tephra.
The island of Hawaii lies almost 4 thousand km from the nearest mainland (North America). A unique animal and plant world has formed here, which is constantly threatened by the proximity to volcanoes. There is no life at all directly near the volcanoes, vegetation - tropical rainforests - appears at the foot and is represented by a cybotium tree fern, a tenacious freycinetia shrub and small psychotria mariniana trees. There are almost no terrestrial animals (the hawksbill turtle is the most common), but there are many birds, including brightly colored ones such as the fiery and black-and-scarlet Hawaiian flower girl.
The closest city to the park is the port city of Hilo, the largest on the island of Hawaii and the second largest after the state capital of Honolulu. The city has long been accustomed to being close to the active Mauna Loa volcano, but something much more dangerous scares it. The fact is that it is located on the shores of the bay of the same name, which has the sad glory of the "All-American capital of the tsunami": across the expanses Pacific Ocean tsunamis reach here even from South American Chile and the northern Aleutian Islands, sometimes killing dozens of Hilo residents.

general information

Location: Pacific North, Hawaiian Islands.
Administrative affiliation: State of Hawaii, USA.

official status: national park.

On the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987
Nearest locality : the city of Hilo, 43,263 people. (2010).

Hawaii State Languages: English and Hawaiian.

Ethnic composition of the State of Hawaii: Asians (Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese) - 38.6%, European Americans - 24.7%, mestizos - 14.7%, Hawaiians - 10%, Hispanics (Puerto Ricans and Mexicans) - 8.9%, African Americans and others - 3.1% (2010).

Religions of the State of Hawaii: Christianity (Catholic and Mormon) - 28.9%, Buddhism - 9%, Judaism - 0.8%, other - 10%, non-religious - 51.3% (2000).

Currency unit: U.S. dollar.
Major airport: international Airport Hilo.

Numbers

Park area: 1308.88 km2.

Kilauea volcano: height - 1247 m, caldera with a diameter of 4.5 km and a depth of over 230 m, rift zones (Southeast - 125 km, West - 35 km).

Mauna Loa Volcano: volume - 75 thousand km 3, height above sea level - 4169 m, height taking into account the underwater part - 10 168 m, peak length - 75 km, peak width - 48 km, crater with an area of 10 km 2 and a depth of 180 m.

Distance between Kilauea and Mauna Loa craters: 30 km.
Length of paved roads: 106 km.
Length of hiking trails: 249 km.

Distance: 3900 km west of San Francisco, 4400 km west of Seattle.

Climate and weather

Tropical, trade wind.

January average temperature: +19°С.

July average temperature: +30°С.

Average annual rainfall: up to 2500 mm.
Relative humidity: 70%.

Economy

Service sector: tourism, transport, trade.

sights

■ Natural: Kilauea volcano (Kilauea caldera, Galemau-mau or Halemau-mau lava lake, Puu-Oo and Kupayanah cones), Kau desert, Mauna Loa volcano (Ainapo trail), Kipuka-Puaulu (Bird park), Thurston and Pua caves -Loo (lava tubes), Crater Chain Road.
■ historical: footprints 1790, Camp Wilkes (1840), "Volcanic House" (historic houses for tourists, 1877), Volcanic Observatory (1912), Ainahu Ranch, or Novaya Zemlya (1941), historical district of Puna Kau, petroglyphs of Puu Loa.
■ Other: Art Gallery, Volcanic Arts Center ("Volcanic House"), Thomas Jaggar Museum.

Curious facts

■ The first eruption of Kilauea volcano known to Europeans occurred in 1823. Significant eruptions were noted in the 1950s. The last large-scale eruption of the Kilauea volcano occurred in 1983-1985, since then it has not stopped in any way.
■ Hilo, the nearest city to the park, is located in the humid tropical climate zone, it is the third most rainy city in the United States (after the Alaskan cities of Ketchikan and Yakutat) and one of the rainiest in the world with over 5000 mm of precipitation per year. It can rain intermittently in the city up to 280 days a year, and on November 2, 2000, a record was set: almost 70 cm of precipitation fell in a day.
■ Scientists explain the constant seething volcanic lake Galemau-mau in that a column of volcanic gas constantly comes out from below, which breaks out to the surface and makes the entire lake gush with spray.
■ The age of the lava covering 90% of the area of the Kilauea volcano is about a thousand years, and the oldest is 2100-2800 years old.
■ The Cau Desert is a popular hiking destination, but is closed to the public during periods of extreme volcanic activity due to high concentrations of toxic volcanic gases brought by the trade winds.
■ The level of the boiling lava lake Galemau-mau is not constant, but sometimes it rises so high that no more than 30 m remains to the edge of the caldera (its depth is 230 m).
■ The pro-traditional Hawaiian community, including naming conventions, proposed that the park be renamed Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, but the proposal was not supported federally.
■ The elepayo bird, which lives in the park, occupies an important place in the folklore of the islanders. Hawaiians believe that elepayo helps canoe builders choose the best wood for the boat's hull. While in the forest, the Hawaiians monitor the behavior of the elepayo: if a bird sits on a tree trunk, it means that there are a lot of carpenter insects in it, but if it does not show any interest in it, then the tree is clean and suitable for building canoes.
■ The greatest danger to the animal and flora The national park is not represented by volcanoes, but by alien species of animals brought here, especially the mongoose, wild boar and goat.
■ Puu Loa rock paintings - the largest collection of ancient petroglyphs in the Hawaiian Islands: there are about 20 thousand of them.
■ The caves of Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park are lava tubes, natural channels formed due to the uneven cooling of lava flows: when the surface layer of lava has already hardened, under its crust the lava continues to move and forms complex systems of channels. The length of the caves can reach several kilometers, the height of the vaults is several meters. The world record belongs to the Kazumura cave on the slope of the Kilauea volcano, its length is 65.5 km, and the elevation difference is 1101 m.
■ In the region of volcanoes, sulfur deposits come to the surface, volcanic gases seep here, in which there is a lot of hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, the park administration does not recommend visitors with heart or respiratory diseases (in particular, those suffering from asthma), pregnant women, and young children to go to these places.

Olivines found after a volcanic eruption. Photo source: Twitter, @GEOetc2

When an active volcanic eruption began in Hawaii, the whole world started talking about a natural incident. Photos and videos of a frightening and at the same time bewitching spectacle spread all over the world. However, now there is a new reason for discussion: apparently, Kilauea gave the inhabitants of the Big Island a rain of precious stones.

Olivines (the common name for the mineral, which includes chrysolites, they are also peridots) are very common in nature, they are mined in many countries on different continents. There are even beaches in Hawaii whose sand is green due to a large number olivine grains weathered from basalt rocks. Although, of course, gem-quality stones - - can be much more difficult to find.

Hawaiian volcano eruption lava. Traveling America: Hawaii - Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park