Majestic volcanoes in Hawaii, Goddess Pele and erupting lava. Lava, where are you?...

Location: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island of Hawaii

As we already mentioned in our previous notes, on Big Island of Hawaii we went for its volcanoes and erupting lava.

(or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) gives its visitors a unique opportunity to watch volcanic eruptions at a fairly close and safe distance.

The park itself was founded at the beginning of the last century, and in 1987 it was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

There are two volcanoes within the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park:

– Mauna Loa (4169 m), the second highest volcano in Hawaii after Mauna Kea (4205 m);

– Kilauea (1247 m), the youngest of Hawaii's land volcanoes and one of the most active active volcanoes on the ground.

Both volcanoes are shield volcanoes. Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in the world by volume, its last eruption occurred in 1984, and the last strong one in 1950. At its top there is a volcanological station, as well as an atmospheric and solar observatory.

You can climb Mauna Loa, there are walking routes there, but you need to register before the climb, and it is recommended to do the multi-kilometer walking trek with an overnight stay along the way.

Kilauea Volcano began to actively erupt at the end of the last century and continues to the present day. At the top of Kilauea there is a huge gaping caldera measuring 3 by 4 km (a vast basin with steep walls and a more or less flat bottom of volcanic origin).

In this basin is located Halemaumau Crater. This crater is active, lava is bubbling in it and smoke is pouring out in a high column.

We will write a couple more lines about this crater a little later., because We specially went to see him in the evening to look at his red glow. During the day this glow is not visible.

There, next to the Halemaumau crater, there is Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, he was the first director of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The museum itself is small, where you can find information about the nature of Hawaiian volcanoes, about eruptions and their study, the equipment of volcanologists is also presented there, films are broadcast and you can buy souvenirs for yourself.

Right at the exit from the museum there is an observation deck that offers panoramic views of the Halemaumau Crater.

The crater is located a couple of kilometers away and visitors are not allowed close to it, because... there the lava really boils and erupts inside it. There is parking in front of the museum. In the evening there are usually a huge number of people who want to look at the Hawaiian lava.

Interestingly, the eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes are classified as “quiet”. When erupting, the streams of their hot lava do not explode, but flow slowly on gentle slopes, which is why this area is considered one of the safest in the world for observation.

When asked “What if we get burned,” local rangers usually answer with a smile a la “Don’t worry, you won’t be able to step on hot lava, because.” approaching it, you will already feel a high temperature and physically you will not be able to get close to it, the body itself will not let you in.”

Unlike volcanoes with a conical shape, they Hawaiian volcanoes shield form. The reasons for this: numerous lava eruptions, which eventually formed a flat shield. And also the composition of the lava itself (basalt) - lower viscosity, which allows the lava to spread over longer distances from the center of its eruption.

Mauna Loa Volcano- an excellent example of this, in terms of volume it is the most massive volcano on Earth, its area covers almost half of the Big Island of Hawaii. The length of the volcano is 112 km, width 48 km.

Another feature of Hawaiian shield volcanoes is their rift zones. They are cracks and allow lava to erupt away from the center of the volcano. An example of this today is Kilauea volcano. He has Puu Oo vent, it is located about 15 km east of the Kilauea crater itself.

Here, in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park you can see a very diverse picture: from lifeless “lunar” landscapes with black solidified lava to dense green almost impenetrable forests (Hawaiian jungle) with huge giant tree ferns. There are beaches with black sand and even green ones.

Endangered species of animals and birds are found here. The local nature is graceful on the one hand and incredibly harsh on the other. I happened to see something similar on one of the Canary Islands– in Lanzarote.

There, on the island, a volcano once erupted and the area has still not acquired any vegetation, only small patches of moss. But the other part of the island, not affected by the erupting lava, is simply bursting with greenery, literally choking on it. A very original and interesting picture. It’s a pity that there are very few photos from that trip to the Canaries.

The area of ​​Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park is 1308 square meters. km.

It has asphalt roads, the total length of which is more than 100 km, and there are also hiking trails (ca. 250 km).

Part of Crater Rim Drive was closed at this time. Today we drove the car all the way to the end of the Chain of Craters Road and then walked along the hardened lava.

This road was once “flooded” with lava; in certain places “bald patches” are visible – sections of asphalt. We took few photographs there, because... It was already dusk and we decided to leave the camera in the car.

Five volcanoes on Big Island Hawaii is culturally valuable to Native Hawaiians.

These volcanoes are considered sacred to them and are closely associated with Hawaiian mythology.

Hawaiian Legends Presents Kilauea volcano And Halemaumau Crater like a monastery goddess Pele– patroness of fire and volcanoes.

According to Wikipedia: According to Hawaiian beliefs, Pele was the daughter of the goddess Haumea and her husband Moemoe. She was born in a country called Kahiki (possibly Tahiti), located south of the Hawaiian Islands. She had eight sisters and five brothers.

One of the Hawaiian legends tells about the long voyage of the goddess Pele in search of a new land on her canoe Honua-ia-kea. Having sailed to the Hawaiian Islands, Pele tried several times without success to find a place for her family's home. Every time she started digging, she was washed away and the family was forced to continue searching. Thus, according to the ideas of the ancient Hawaiians, numerous volcanic craters appeared on the archipelago, including Diamond Head, Koko, Makapuu, as well as Kilauea on the island of Hawaii, where Pele eventually settled.

The origin of the famous Hawaiian hula dance is also associated with the name of the goddess. One day, while walking with her retinue, Pele saw Hopoe and Jaen, friends of her younger sister Hiiaka, performing a beautiful dance. Subsequently, Pele asked her sisters to repeat the dance, but no one succeeded in doing this except Hiiaka. From then on, Hiiaka became the patroness of hula dance, and all prayer songs from then on were named either in her honor or in honor of Pele.

The Hawaiians revere Pele, presenting her with numerous offerings, and the goddess herself allegedly met people more than once in the form of a beautiful girl.

At the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park there is information Center. There you can get all the necessary information with maps and brochures about walking routes, observation platforms, roads and other useful things.

Part of the roads and hiking trails, sometimes they are closed for safety. And not only because of the eruption of lava, but also because of the large amount of all kinds of chemical compounds released into the air that are harmful to health.

Myself information Center works somewhere from morning until five in the evening. There is a fee to enter the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, about $10 per car (we don’t remember exactly), the payment is valid for several days.

The park is open to visitors 24 hours a day, you can walk around it around the clock, but at night it is advisable to have a reliable flashlight with you, because... On the hiking paths it is pitch black and you can’t get by without a flashlight at night.

What to do there in the dark? Look (or rather look for) lava. During the day it is not visible at all, except for the rising columns of smoke, but its red glow can just be seen after sunset.

In our next post, we will talk in more detail about what interesting things can be found here in the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. Where we were, what we saw and “is there lava in Hawaii,” and if so, where exactly.

And so, our fourth day holidays in Hawaii continued with the fact that we are from Kona We arrived safely by car to the village Volcano Village.

This place is located a couple of kilometers from the entrance to the national park and not so far from the giant volcanoes - Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, which was very convenient for us.

In terms of accommodation, we booked here (through hotels.com or agoda.com, we don’t remember exactly) a room in a large old Hawaiian house. The price per night was something like $60, plus breakfast for an additional fee. I really liked this house as well as its location. We will also tell you about this village separately.

After checking in, of course, the first thing we did was to explore the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. We stayed there until deep darkness in search of lava.

But that is another story. To be continued.

Your restless Nata and Tyoma

Hawaii is not only beaches, surfing and flower necklaces. On these islands there is a unique National Park Hawaiian volcanoes. It attracts tourists and scientists from all over the world. In the park there is the most large volcano on the planet - Mauna Loa and the most active - Kilauea, which has been erupting almost continuously since 1983.

Kilauea's first documented eruption occurred in 1823. Unlike other active volcanoes, Kilauea is classified as “quiet”. Its eruption is not explosive; streams of hot lava slowly flow down the slopes, so it is safe for observation at any time.

The caldera - the tip of the volcano - has a diameter of 4 and a half kilometers and a depth of about 230 meters. Lava Lake Halemaumau bubbles at the bottom and throws out fountains of hot rock.

Occasionally, the lava level rises high enough to the edge, so that no more than 30 meters remain to the edge of the crater. Kilauea's current eruption began on January 3, 1983, and it is currently the longest-lived active volcano in the world. Over the past time, about 3 and a half cubic kilometers of lava have poured onto the surface.

As the lava flowed into the ocean and solidified, it added 0.93 square kilometers of land to the southeast coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Lava flows covered 12 kilometers of the Chain of Craters Road with a layer of up to 35 meters, now the end of this route is a place of pilgrimage for tourists. The main source of the eruption is this moment– Puu Oo crater, located 15 km from the main crater.

No less interesting is the now calm volcano Mauna Loa. It is considered the largest on Earth, with a volume of about 75 thousand cubic kilometers. Its height above sea level is 4169 meters (the peak of Mauna Loa, the only one in Hawaii, is covered with a snow cap in winter). It occupies a good half of the island, having a width of 48 and a length of 112 kilometers. No wonder the name Mauna Loa translated from Hawaiian means “ long mountain" The volcano is considered active, it last eruption occurred from March 24 to April 3, 1984, with minor activity recorded every 3-4 years.

Kau Desert with Mauna Low Volcano in the background

Mauna Loa is not like other volcanoes in its shape - it is not cone-shaped, but shield-shaped. Its basaltic lava is low in silicon dioxide, and therefore more liquid and viscous. As it spreads, it forms vast, gently sloping lava fields, the so-called. shields. During an eruption, lava flows can spread over long distances. The upper layers cool faster, setting into a crust, and beneath it the hot masses of rock continue to move, forming a branched system of pipes. Natural caves, created in this way, can have a length of tens of kilometers.

Thurston Lava Tube

This is the 500-year-old massive lava cave Thurston Lava Tube, discovered a hundred years ago by local newspaper publisher Lorrin Thurston. Almost immediately a stream of tourists poured into it. It is known that initially the ceiling of the cave was covered with lava stalactites, but now there is no trace of them left - everything has been dismantled for souvenirs. The Thurston Lava Tube is still a favorite among tourists and is open for daily access.

But you can get to Pua Po'o Cave only one day a week, after making an appointment with the rangers of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. This cave is also called the “secret lava tube”; it has a very branched structure and is still little studied.

The world record belongs to Kazumura Cave on the slope of the Kilauea volcano. Its length is 65.5 km, and the elevation difference is more than a thousand meters.

Unique combination natural conditions, ranging from the tropical rainforest of the coast to the alpine belt at the top of Mauna Loa, creates as many as seven ecological zones in the National Park. Here is one of the wettest places on Earth - the city of Hilo, where it rains more than 280 days a year, and the arid Kau Desert, devoid of vegetation and consisting of hardened lava, sand and gravel.

The slopes of volcanoes are home to many species of animals and birds, some of which are on the verge of extinction. It is noteworthy that the main danger to them and the plant world is not the volcano, but mongooses, goats and wild boars, alien to the animal world of Hawaii, brought from the mainland.

Like animals, people have since ancient times adapted to the difficult living conditions near a volcano. Despite the danger of being buried under lava flows, people cultivated the rich soils on the slopes and took advantage of the warm springs. If an eruption occurred, the area was covered with a layer volcanic ash, became temporarily unusable due to the release of gases and acid rain, people moved to the coast and switched to other activities, for example, fishing. But as soon as the situation returned to normal, they returned.

This way of life was disrupted after the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands by the famous English navigator James Cook in 1778. At first, missionaries began to frequent the area and began to build churches and persistently convert to Christianity. local population. Following them, having heard about the fertile lands, planters settled in Hawaii. The cultivation of sugar cane and coffee almost led to environmental disaster. In 1916, at the insistence of the island's population, scientists and state authorities, Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park was founded, and any economic activity within its borders was prohibited. Unfortunately, many species of island flora and fauna were irretrievably exterminated, and the indigenous population decreased tenfold. Ethnic Hawaiians now make up only 10 percent of Hawaii's population.

In the 19th century, the main interest of travelers to 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 park's territory includes the peaks of the largest (Mauna Loa) and most active (Kilauea) volcanoes on the planet. In 1980, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park received the status of an International Biosphere Reserve, and in 1987 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The unique volcanic landscapes of the park attract about 3 million tourists annually.

What's special about Hawaiian volcanoes?

Brief description of the park

Geological features. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park extends from sea level to an elevation of 4,169 meters and includes the largest (Mauna Loa) and most active (Kīlauea) volcanoes in the world. Kilauea has been in almost continuous eruption since 1983; Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. Volcanic features within the park include calderas, pit craters, cinder cones, fumaroles, geysers, solfatares (a type of fumarole that releases sulfur gases), lava flows, lava tubes, black sand beaches, and thermal fields. The climate ranges from lush tropical forests to the arid and barren Kau Desert. More than half of the park is protected areas with a developed network of hiking trails and ample camping opportunities.

Biological features. The park covers a diverse natural environment, ranging from the seashore to the summit of the most massive volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa (4169 m). The territory of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park consists of seven ecological zones:

Coast;
lowlands;
tree-covered hills;
rainforests;
mountain forests;
subalpine belt;
Alpine belt.

The park is a sanctuary for many endangered species, including the hawksbill (turtle), nene (Hawaiian goose), Hawaiian petrel, Hawaiian hawk, Hawaiian white-and-gray bat, Hawaiian flowerbirds (birds), carnivorous caterpillars, and smiling spiders.

Cultural characteristics. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park preserves archaeological sites 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 1308 km2, 106 km of paved roads, 249 km of hiking trails.

Volcanoes 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), length 112 km, width 48 km. Eruptions, as a rule, are not explosive; the lava is poor in silicon dioxide, and therefore very liquid. Thanks to such features, the slightly inclined slopes of the volcano were formed. Mauna Loa's last eruption occurred from March 24 to April 15, 1984, and the volcano is currently inactive. Hawaii 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 Great Island of Hawaii. Kilauea is the main tourist attraction in national park Hawaiian volcanoes. It has a large, relatively recently formed 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 volcano's summit. For example, the Kilauea volcano is currently continuing to erupt from the Puu Oo vent, located in the east rift zone of Kilauea, approximately 15 km east of the Kilauea crater itself.

Kilauea's current eruption began on January 3, 1983, and it is currently 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 sulfur 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 serve as the abode of Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, wind and volcanoes.

Kilauea is considered the most frequently visited volcano on the planet due to its ability to witness molten lava flows. It is relatively safe to visit because its eruptions are not explosive.

Interesting places(attractions) Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Kilauea Visitor 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. It is typically 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 sites, make a stop here. Park rangers are always friendly and knowledgeable to answer any questions. Here you can watch a 30-minute film about volcanic eruptions, book tours with park rangers, learn about hiking routes, and pick up souvenirs. The Kilauea Visitor Center is open daily from 07:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thomas Jagger Museum located along Crater Rim Drive, 3 km from the Kilauea Visitor Center. WITH observation deck The museum offers a panoramic view of the caldera and the Halemaumau crater. Exhibits include equipment previously used by scientists to study volcanoes. A souvenir shop is available to tourists. The Jagger Museum is adjacent to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, but it is not open to the public. The museum is open daily from 08:30 to 17:00.

Caves Hawaii Volcanoes National Park consists primarily of lava tubes. Lava tubes are natural channels through which flows of molten liquid rock move beneath the earth's surface during a volcanic eruption. These caves sometimes stretch for many kilometers with a height of several meters.

Thurston Lava Tube- an example of a massive lava cave. This 500-year-old lava cave was discovered in 1913 by Lorrin Thurston, a local newspaper publisher. At the time of 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 tours of the Thurston Lava Tube and other similar caves around the Big Island of Hawaii, e.g. Native Guide Hawaii(www.nativeguidehawaii.com) and Kilauea Caverns of Fire(www.kilaueacavernsoffire.com).

Pua Po'o- another cave of this type. It is sometimes called the "secret lava tube" of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There is very little information about this cave. Visits are only possible every Wednesday accompanied by a park ranger. You must contact the Kilauea Visitor Center in advance to book your 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 for the past two decades. By January 2005, 2.7 cubic kilometers of magma covered an area of ​​more than 117 square kilometers and added 0.93 km2 of land on the southeastern coast of the Great Island of Hawaii. In 1986, a lava flow from Puu Oo destroyed much of the village of Kalapana. The Wahalua Visitor Center and the Ancient Hawaiian Temple are other victims of Puu Oo.

Lava flows. Most visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are most interested in seeing the molten lava flows in the Kilauea active zone. Since 1983, 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 frozen rock in some places reaches 35 m. The nature of the volcano is unstable, sometimes there is a river of lava, other times nothing. Currently, the end of the Chain of Craters Road is the best place park to observe the movement of molten lava. Lava flows can sometimes be seen where the road ends near the ranger station. Usually, you need 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. Fresh lava flows erupt from the Puu Oo crater.

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 attracts the attention of 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 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 deck. There is a 6 km loop trail around Kilauea Iki.

Petroglyphs of Puu Loa(Pu"u Loa petroglyphs). The approximately 2 km trail from the Chain of Craters Road leads to the site of the largest concentration of ancient petroglyphs in Hawaii. Puu Loa petroglyphs are considered a sacred site for Native Hawaiians, who carved more than 20 000 drawings on the surface of lava. It is believed that the petroglyphs immortalized important events in the life of the Hawaiians. The drawings depict animals, human figures, and 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 parking lot and trailhead are located between mile markers 16 and 17 along the Chain of Craters Road. A boardwalk has been laid in the area of ​​the petroglyphs. Not all petroglyphs are clearly visible; to avoid trampling or damaging them, walk on the boardwalk all the time.

Sulfur deposits(Sulfur Banks). In sulfur deposits that come to the surface, 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 emanating gases from volcanoes are dangerous to health. Visitors with heart or respiratory conditions (particularly those with asthma), pregnant women, or young children should avoid this visit.

Fumaroles(Steam Vents) - the release of hot steam from cracks and channels of a volcano. Groundwater seeps down into hot volcanic rocks and returns to the surface as steam. Don't stand too close to the fumaroles on a cold day because you'll be wet after taking a 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 (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. In total, it descends from a height of 1128 m and abuts the lava flow across the road at south coast 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 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 attraction of a trip along this road is the Holei Sea Arch. At the end of the road is a 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 long ring road around the Kilauea caldera. This 18 km loop road revolves around the top of Kilauea's caldera and craters, passing through sections of rainforest and lava desert, stopping at panoramic views and short walks. It begins almost immediately after entering the territory of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and passes by sulfur deposits (Sulfur Banks), fumaroles (jet of hot volcanic steam), and the Jagger Museum. From here the road descends through the rift zone to the caldera floor to Halemaumau Crater. The road then climbs up and passes the smaller Keanakākoi Crater and Kīlauea Iki Crater, through fern thickets, past the Thurston Lava Tube cave and returns to the administrative area of ​​the park. Crater Rim Drive

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

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has over 240 km of trails for... hiking. The trails range from easy (Kipukapuaulu) to longer (Mauna Loa Trail) hikes. They not only cross lava fields, but also deserts, tropical forests, beaches, and in winter snow slopes at an altitude of over 4,000 meters. Trail maps and more useful information can be obtained at Information Center Kilauea Visitor Center, open from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 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 6km trail starts at the Visitor Centre, descends through ferns to the Kilauea Iki crater, then crosses the crater floor and passes the crater where a fountain of fire-breathing lava erupted for 36 days in 1959.

Halemaumau Trail. The 5.5 km trail begins at the Visitor Center, descends to the floor of the Kilauea Caldera, and ends at the Halemaumau Crater Overlook.

Devastation Trail 1 km long allows you to explore the Kilauea Iki crater, where the volcano erupted in 1959. Park ranger-guided hikes (free) are offered throughout the day.

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

Mauna Loa Trail. This is one of the most challenging hikes in Hawaii. The 31 km trail begins at the end of the road and ascends to the summit of Mauna Loa (4136 m), where night temperatures drop below freezing throughout the year. There is often snow in July. The round trip (3 to 4 days) requires a lot of physical effort and registration at the Information Center. You will receive it there detailed maps route and other necessary information. The trail begins 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 site of the flow of fire-breathing lava. The tour starts at approximately 15:30, first by minibus ride, then a few kilometers of hike along old frozen streams to the site of molten lava flow. 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 cycling tours. Tour operator address: 12-5038 Kalapana-Kapoho Rd, Pahoa, Hawaii Island, 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 is closer). The 50-minute Circle of Fire/Waterfalls tour (with Hilo) includes waterfalls, valleys and beaches in addition to volcanoes; The 70-minute Big Island Spectacular (from Waikoloa), explores 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 all 5 volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Weather

The weather in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is extremely variable. At the summit of Kilauea (1247 m), the weather changes daily and can be rainy and cold at any time of the year. Temperature varies depending on 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 with a windbreaker, long pants, and closed-toe shoes (not sandals).

Where to stay

Volcano Village. Since the formation of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 1916, a tiny village called 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 does not have traffic lights, a church or a cemetery, but it does have 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, there is a lot of rainfall - 2500 mm per year.

Volcano Village is within 1 km of the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Highway 11, which leads directly to the park, passes near Volcano Village. If you are planning 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 Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park was built back in 1846. Even Mark Twain once stayed there during a visit to Hawaii. Website www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com

Campings

There are two motorist campgrounds within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Namakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki). Camping is free. Advance booking not required, but 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 campsite has restrooms, water, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities.

Camping Kulanaokuaiki located approximately 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);

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 Highway 19.

Helpful information

The park entrance fee is waived from Vehicle and cyclists. Keep your ticket, it is valid for seven consecutive days.

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

For your safety, stay on designated trails, pay attention to all warning signs, and stay away from restricted areas. Avoid harmful volcanic gases within 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 places of hot lava.

Lastly, allow plenty of time for your trip. To get the most out of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, consider staying at the Volcano House, nearby Volcano Village, or Hilo, just 45 minutes away. The other big city, Kona, is 2.5 hours away one way.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the Island of Hawaii. For interesting places and tours from local operators on the Island of Hawaii, follow this link

Accommodation

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Mauna Loa is the most big volcano Earth. It is located at an altitude of over 4 km above sea level, and its long underwater slopes descend to the seabed for an additional 5 km. This huge volcano covers half of one of the Hawaiian Islands.

Ancient, large and very active

Mauna Loa is one of Earth's most active volcanoes, having erupted 33 times since its first well-documented historical eruption in 1843. The last time this happened was in 1984. Its area is more than 5 thousand square kilometers. The approximate time of the first ancient suberal eruptions is about 400-700 million years ago.

Where is the largest volcano in the world?

Mauna Loa, or "long mountain" in Hawaiian, is located on the island of Hawaii. This is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It's really high and big mountain, occupying half of the island on which it is located. The Mauna Loa volcano is composed primarily of a type of rock known as tholeiitic basalt.

First mention

The earliest written record of Mauna Loa's eruption dates back to 1780, shortly after Captain Cook's first visit to the island. The lava flow observed in 1855-1856 is one of the largest flows ever seen. In 1868, an eruption and earthquake in Hawaii were officially documented, measuring magnitude 8 by modern standards.

Famous shield volcano

The Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii is called a shield volcano. And there are certain reasons for this. In shape it is a relatively long, flat and low volcano. This is because when an eruption occurs, the lava does not explode outwards, which would gradually form a steep, cone-shaped volcano over time, but emits streams that drain a vast area. Does this make the volcano less dangerous? Such seepage can also be quite destructive. Streams running down a slope can cause irreparable harm to both a person and their property in a matter of hours. So, in 1950, an eruption destroyed a nearby village and a local highway.

The volcano continues to grumble

A number of earthquakes were recorded in 2016, but this is nothing unusual. This is the norm for this area. And the place where Mauna Loa is located is carefully controlled today, because Hawaii is popular place for a vacation, and no one wants to be caught off guard by a volcanic eruption. These places are great place for tourists.

One of five volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands

On the Hawaiian Islands, where the Mauna Loa volcano is located, there are 4 more volcanoes, two of which have not shown signs of activity for a long time. The most frightening thing is that it is very difficult to predict where the next eruption will take place, both in terms of timing and the danger zone. Therefore, just in case, a special evacuation center was created. Although Mauna Loa is not explosive and does not produce large amounts of debris or ash clouds when it erupts, its lava flows can still pose a major threat.

Climate Features

The impressive ancient volcano was, and continues to be, an active force in shaping both the Hawaiian landscape and its culture. His restless disposition and presence in general have a great influence on the climate of these places. Winds blow from east to west across the island.

The eastern half of the volcano is characterized by frequent rainfall and lush tropical vegetation.

The western side of Mauna Loa (a photo of it can be seen in the article) is much drier and has less flora and fauna. Higher in the mountains, the temperature drops, and from time to time you can see snow and ice build-up.

Mythology

The native people of the ancient Hawaiian Islands were inspired by Mauna Loa and viewed it with fear and admiration. It's not surprising that some of the most popular and enduring Hawaiian myths involve volcanic activity.

The Hawaiian goddess Pele was a fierce and fiery woman who was revered and feared. She represented fire, lightning, violence and, most importantly, volcanic eruptions.

According to legend, the goddess Pele lived in a crater at the top of Mauna Loa, from where she controlled all natural processes.

Statues and altars were built in her honor on the slopes of the majestic volcano, and people offered sacrifices and prayers to her to appease the deity and prevent the fire from destroying their homes and villages.

This attitude is still felt in Hawaii today, people still have awe and great respect for Mauna Loa.

While beautiful sandy beaches attract tourists to Hawaii; true travelers go a little further from the coast, inland, to look at the no less spectacular volcanoes. And none of them are as big as Mauna Loa.

Exciting excursion to the volcano

Most of Mauna Loa is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where everyone can easily take some excellent photos. But the hike to the very top of the volcano, which usually takes about two grueling days, is only possible for experienced tourists. The park is always open, but the path to Mauna Loa is sometimes closed for safety reasons.

In the vicinity of the volcano, many towns and villages were built and continue to be built. They are based on lava that has been erupting for the last two hundred years. And this is despite the fact that there is a fairly high probability of repeated eruptions, which can lead to the total destruction of nearby settlements.

Because of his geographical location The Hawaiian Islands are truly unique and inimitable. As the only US state built entirely on volcanic rock, Hawaii abounds impressive volcanoes, whose age is 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. 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 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 exactly how it was formed largest mountain throughout the solar system - 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 the 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 a slope 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

Shield Mauna Kea volcano rises 4,205 m above the surface of the water, and more than 6,000 m are below sea level: overall height 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.