| The
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916,
exhibits the results of 70 million years of volcanism,
evolution and migration. Created to preserve the natural
setting of Kilauea- the earth's most active volcano
- and Mauna Loa - the earth's most massive volcano -
the park is also a refuge for the island's native plants
and animals and a link to its human past. In contrast
to the explosive continental volcanoes, the fluid eruptions
of Kilauea and Mauna Loa produce fiery fountains and
rivers of molten lava. Throughout history, these flows,
added layer upon layer, produced a barren volcanic landscape
that served as a foundation for life.
-
Extending across the south-eastern flank of the Kilauea
Volcano is this dry, scorched patch of earth that shows
the effect of centuries of volcanic eruptions.
- A recently formed shield volcano
- Mauna Ulu - erupted from 1969 through 1974 leaving
an altered landscape of fascinating geologic features.
This area of the park contains lava rivers, lava channels,
and even lava trees.
- Thurston's Lava Tube is an underground
tunnel that was formed 400 years ago when the surface
of a lava flow cooled and solidified while the still-molten
interior flowed through and drained away. Today you
can walk through the underground tube yourself and imagine
that a river of lava was traveling in your path hundreds
of years ago.
- It is believed that Pele, the ancient goddess of volcanoes,
makes her home in this crater at the base of the Kilauea
Volcano. Native Hawaiians still practice their ancient
traditions at this site.
This pit crater was at one time filled with a fiery,
hot lava lake and was the most active site of the Kilauea
Volcano. Now that the lake is gone, students can walk
around the crater and learn about plate tectonics and
the difference between a shield and a mainland stratovolcano.
How did volcanoes impact the lives of people in ancient
times? The Jaggar Museum includes murals and depictions
of ancient people dealing with the volcanoes in addition
to lava samples and historical information on volcanoes.
While here, visit the adjacent overlook for a bird's
eye view of Kilauea Caldera and Mauna Loa.
Hawaii is the only state in the US
built entirely of volcanic materials.
There are more than 500 active volcanoes
in the world. More than half of these volcanoes are
part of the "Ring
of Fire" - a region
that encircles the Pacific Ocean.
The temperature of lava can reach
up to 2,280 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park home page
http://www.volcanogallery.com
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/guide.htm
(A Field Ecology Guide)
Jaggar
Museum
|
