Volcanoes of Hawaii

Hawaii is a big island which is totally made up of volcanoes. A few of them are called Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa and Kilauea.

This majestic snow-capped Mauna Kea is in fact the second tallest volcano in Hawaii. Mauna Kea has erupted several times in the past 10,000 years, but the most recent eruption was 3,500 years ago. However, it is possible that it will erupt again some day.

Kohala is another volcano which might actually be extinct, since it has not erupted for 60, 000 years. It emerged from the sea 500, 000 years ago, but it is now slowly slowly sinking back into the sea. More than 200,000 years ago, a massive landslide occurred thus causing magnificent cliffs to form on the flanks of the volcano, and they can still be seen today.

Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Kilauea has continuous eruption during the 19th and 20th centuries and has had 34 eruption cycles since 1952. The last one started in 1983, and it continues even today. Also, it has no indication of stopping in the near future.

Hualalai's last eruption was between 1800 to 1801. This volcano is situated in the west of Hawaii. Houses, resorts, buildings and many people live near the flanks of Hualalai. Massive earthquakes hit in 1929, thus causing scientists to believe that an eruption will occur in the next 100 years.