People continue to take an interest in the history of volcanic formation and their activities. To understand what a volcano is and what it brings to humanity, it is enough to plunge into the unique world of these hot spots of the planet.
Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in the world. It is located in the Hawaiian Islands. This exotic location boasts an abundance of impressive volcanoes. Their age exceeds 70 million years. Having united among themselves by a chain, volcanoes are the backbone of the Hawaiian Islands. The bases of volcanoes are deep in the ocean floor, and their tops can be seen above the surface of the water.
Volcano dimensions
This whopper rises above the ocean at 4169 m! The height of Mauna Loa from the base to the top is more than 8000 m, and the volume of the volcano is impressive with its figure - 75 000 cubic kilometers!
According to geological studies, Manua Loa is not only the largest, but also the most active volcano on earth. It arose more than 600 thousand years ago and erupted violently quite often. Scientists have recorded 39 eruptions.
Over the past few years, the Manua Loa volcano has been inactive. However, geologists say the Hawaiian volcano has begun to show signs that it may wake up after some lull. True, scientists assure that the eruption is still far away. Therefore, you can safely go on a planned vacation to the Hawaiian Islands.
The history of the formation of the volcano
The name of the volcano is Manua Loa, which translates as a long mountain. It itself was formed from magma that rose from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean above the surface of the water. This formed point of fire feeds five Hawaiian volcanoes: Kilauea, Hualalai, Halikala, Loihi and Manua Loa. Its width is 5794.64 kilometers. Each time the magma came into contact with water, it solidified.
Hundreds of thousands of years passed before the layers accumulated, rose above the surface of the ocean and formed islands. The Long Mountain belongs to the category of shield volcanoes. These are those that are formed by slowly flowing lava from cracks in the earth. Due to this, the volcano is not explosive, unlike other types of volcanoes.
The pros and cons of volcanic terrain
Life near Long Mountain has its own characteristics. On the one hand, the proximity to an active volcano is dangerous. Over the past centuries, many destructive events have occurred under the influence of erupting lava. The small village of Ho Ploa Makai was literally razed to the ground in 1926. Nothing could be done against the natural spontaneous riot!
But on the other hand, lands covered with volcanic ash are turning into fertile lands. Lovers of Hawaiian nuts, coffee and sugar will attest that these foods taste unusual. And all this, thanks to the growth on volcanic soil.
Tourists who come to Hawaii have a unique opportunity to go on an excursion to the powerful, but still dormant volcano. There is an observatory near the long mountain, an observation deck has been built, and numerous paths and roads lead to the volcano itself.
