Mauna Loa Essay
The United States is home to approximately 169 volcanoes (“How many”, n.d.). One well-known volcano in this country is Mauna Loa, also known as Long Mountain. It is the largest volcano in the world (“Pictures: America’s”, n.d.). The Pacific Ocean rests underneath the volcano (“Frequently Asked”, n.d.). Along with Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, and Kilauea, it forms Hawaii (“Mauna Loa Earth’s”, n.d.). The physical characteristics of Mauna Loa contribute to the ongoing examinations to monitor its impact to surrounding communities and environment.
Mauna Loa is a shield volcano. These volcanoes are usually composed of basalt, which enables them to possess a gentle slope, fluid and pahoehoe lava. The fluidity nature allows the volcano to not be deadly (“Geologic Hazards”, n.d.). The volcano consists of tholeiitic basalt (“Mauna Loa Volcano”, n.d.). Some of oldest rocks in the structure are from 100,000 to 200,000 years ago (“Mauna Loa Earth’s”, n.d.). It is currently on 19.475 N 155.608 W and 13,680 …show more content…
Since Mauna Loa is part of Hawaii, it is formed by a hot spot (“Hawaii: Geology”, n.d.). The Pacific Plate, known as a hot spot, is present in Kilauea, Loihi seamount, and Mauna Loa. The plate enabled the formation of Mauna Loa, thus produces consecutive eruptions. Although eruptions can be hazardous, the ones in Hawaii are considerably not destructive (“Hawaii: Geology”, n.d.). Mauna Loa and the near Kiluaea (“Hawaii: Geology”, n.d.) are the only relatively active volcanoes in Hawaii. One of the first eruptions of Mauna Loa occurred about 700,000 to 1,000,000 years ago (“Mauna Loa Earth’s”, n.d.). It is estimated every six years the Mauna Loa erupts lava flows (“Frequently Asked”, n.d.) An initial documented account of an eruption was in 1780 (“Eruption History”, n.d.). The volcano has reportedly erupted thirty-three times since 1843, making it one of the most active volcanoes on the
Mauna Loa is a shield volcano. These volcanoes are usually composed of basalt, which enables them to possess a gentle slope, fluid and pahoehoe lava. The fluidity nature allows the volcano to not be deadly (“Geologic Hazards”, n.d.). The volcano consists of tholeiitic basalt (“Mauna Loa Volcano”, n.d.). Some of oldest rocks in the structure are from 100,000 to 200,000 years ago (“Mauna Loa Earth’s”, n.d.). It is currently on 19.475 N 155.608 W and 13,680 …show more content…
Since Mauna Loa is part of Hawaii, it is formed by a hot spot (“Hawaii: Geology”, n.d.). The Pacific Plate, known as a hot spot, is present in Kilauea, Loihi seamount, and Mauna Loa. The plate enabled the formation of Mauna Loa, thus produces consecutive eruptions. Although eruptions can be hazardous, the ones in Hawaii are considerably not destructive (“Hawaii: Geology”, n.d.). Mauna Loa and the near Kiluaea (“Hawaii: Geology”, n.d.) are the only relatively active volcanoes in Hawaii. One of the first eruptions of Mauna Loa occurred about 700,000 to 1,000,000 years ago (“Mauna Loa Earth’s”, n.d.). It is estimated every six years the Mauna Loa erupts lava flows (“Frequently Asked”, n.d.) An initial documented account of an eruption was in 1780 (“Eruption History”, n.d.). The volcano has reportedly erupted thirty-three times since 1843, making it one of the most active volcanoes on the