The Big Island: Active Volcanoes Abound
Volcanoes: How We Classify Them and the Uniqueness of Hawaii
Tracing the story of a volcano is an act of looking back as well as looking ahead. We look back to see how volcanoes came into being, how they formed, and how they have behaved over thousands of years. And in doing so, we can predict how they will behave in the future as well. The fundamental dividing line in a volcano’s timeline is the 10,000-year mark. Although that may seem like eons ago, any eruption less than 10,000 years ago qualifies a volcano as active. And within the category of active volcanoes, there are two categories: dormant (no recent activity, but may erupt again) and extinct (no future eruptions expected). All the Hawaiian islands, particularly the Big Island, offer a rare opportunity to be amongst some of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Volcanic History Underfoot and All Around
The Big Island, home to the Volcano Village Lodge, boasts a volcanic resume that sets it apart from any other place. It has the largest volcano on earth (Mauna Loa), the youngest and most active volcano (Kilauea), and the highest volcano on the island chain (Mauna Kea). Although Kilauea commands the most attention and respect, given that it has erupted as recently as December of 2020, Hualalai is another active volcano that is slightly under the radar. Lava flows less than 5,000 years old comprise over 80% of its surface, qualifying its activity as very recent within the realm of volcanic history. Suppose you arrive in Hawaii via the Kona airport. In that case, you will be stepping foot directly on a piece of Hualalai’s creation, as the lava flows from its most recent eruption in 1801 undergird the foundation of the airport itself.
Your Gateway to Volcanic Exploration
No trip to the Big Island is complete without exploring the volcanoes that brought Hawaii into being millions of years ago and continue to dazzle visitors with their beauty and power. From your jungle villa at Volcano Village Lodge, you are only a mile from the gateway to the grandeur of Mauna Loa and the ever-active slopes and caldera of Kilauea.
Book your stay today and spend some unforgettable days amongst these geological giants, where the earth is alive like nowhere else.
