Mauna Loa Facts: Learn Everything About The Hawaiian Volcano
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Why Mauna Loa Facts?
Mauna Loa is an exciting and significant volcano for several reasons. It is the largest volcano on Earth in terms of both volume and area covered.
Its last eruption in 1984 was notable and has been studied extensively by scientists and researchers. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been monitoring the volcano for over a century, providing valuable information about its activity and potential hazards.
Additionally, Mauna Loa is a symbol of cultural and spiritual significance for the people of Hawaii. Understanding this volcano's facts can help us better understand its impact on the environment and the people who live near it.
Fun Facts About Mauna Loa
- No mountain other than Mauna Loa has such a large height or base. This largest volcano is home to many research facilities as it is one of the most studied mountains.
- Mauna Loa means 'long mountain' in Hawaiian. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory celebrated March 25, 2014, as the 30th anniversary of Mauna Loa's last eruption (in 1984). The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has a monitoring network of more than 105 field stations, each with ground-based instruments to monitor volcanic activity in Hawaii.
- The Mauna Loa volcano rises about 13681.1 ft (4170 m) above the sea level of the Pacific Ocean. It has erupted 33 times in the past 170 years and most recently erupted in 1984, marking the date in its eruptive history!
Facts About Mauna Loa's Eruptions
- Mauna Loa's eruption in 1950 was the largest since 1859. Although thankfully no lives were lost, it buried about 25 buildings and several miles of highway.
- Over the past 3,000 years, the volcano has erupted with a massive lava flow every six years. The 1950 Mauna Loa eruption started on June 1 and continued until June 23. As liquid lava burst out of the vents, a cloud of fume was spread 2 mi (3.2 km) into the air.
- The volcano's surface is rich in iron, magnesium, and potassium. Once, an overflow from the main lava channel leading from the 2,900 vents was caused due to a lava flow channel blockage. Seismic activity is commonly seen during volcanic eruptions when moving magma shakes the ground. This shaking of the earth is also called a volcanic earthquake. Most eruptions originate at the summits and rift zones of Mauna Loa and Kilauea.
Geographical Facts About Mauna Loa
- There are plenty of Mauna Loa facts about the volcano's geographical features. The last eruption of this volcano spread lava across an area of almost 4500 ha (11000 acres), which means it was the size of over 6,000 football pitches!
- Mauna Loa is among five volcanoes that make up the island of Hawaii. They are even seen on a map of Hawaii. Mauna Loa's summit is about 10.5 mi (17 km) above its base. Some maps show the historical lava flows, summit caldera, radial vents, and rift zone, which are all structural aspects of Mauna Loa. The volcano's summit elevation is 13681.1 ft (4,170 m), but it rises 5.5 mi (9 km) above the seafloor.
Facts About The Damage Caused By Mauna Loa
- In 1950 the most destructive eruption of this volcano in recorded history occurred when lava was forced into the sea at a speed of 5 mph (8.04 kph). It sadly resulted in the deaths of many people.
- A mapping system by the US Geological Survey helps us to identify hazard zones in active and populated areas around Mauna Loa. An eruption could happen at any time, potentially causing pyroclastic flows which would shatter everything within their path. The destruction of vegetation, crop damages, and less rainfall are just some of the effects of a Mauna Loa eruption. Nowadays, Mauna Loa is being carefully monitored because Hawaii is a popular tourist destination and home to many people.
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