Hualālai is estimated to have risen above sea level about 300,000 years ago. Despite maintaining a very low level of activity since its last eruption in 1801, and having been unusually inactive for the past 2,000 years, Hualālai is still considered active and is expected to erupt again sometime in the next century. Our editors will review what you submitted and determine if they should review the article. Mauna Kea is an inactive volcano and was last active about 4,600 years ago.
Sometimes earthquakes (swarms of) are still felt that originate inside Mauna Kea, but they are most likely due to structural readjustment rather than volcanic activity. Haleakalā has erupted at least ten times in the last 1000 years. The last eruption occurred sometime between 1480 and 1600, according to scientific records. The history of Haleakalā and its recent activity indicate that the volcano will erupt again in the future.
As mentioned above, Hualalai is the third most active volcano after Mauna Loa and Kilauea. In the past 1000 years, Hualalai volcano has been reported to have erupted at least three times. Volcanologists believe that Hualalai has a recurrence interval of around 200 to 300 years, depending on its volcanic activity. According to records, Hualalai last erupted in 1801 after remaining dormant for more than two thousand years.
Scientists, therefore, consider Hualalai to be potentially active, as it is expected to erupt again in the next 100 years. Studies have revealed that the volcanic eruption of 1801 produced fluid flows of alkaline basaltic lava with a total production volume of more than 300,000,000 cubic meters. The huge lava flows released by the two vents finally entered the Pacific Ocean from the western edge of the Big Island of Hawaii. Mahukona is an extinct volcano, submerged approximately 1200 meters below the ocean surface and approximately 30 miles (48 km) west of Kohala, off the northwest coast of the Big Island.
Its last eruption occurred more than 400,000 years ago. Lava flows from Hualalai and Kohala volcanoes (along with coral deposits) have buried most of Mahukona volcano. Hualalai lava streams are interspersed on its southern and eastern slopes with those of the adjacent Mauna Loa volcano. Hualalai is one of five active shield volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands that form the Big Island of Hawaii.
Therefore, Hualalai volcano is relatively rougher in shape and structure compared to the active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea. However, there is no summit caldera in Hualalai, but there is a collapsed crater located about 0.48 km through a small lava shield. A significant part of the southern slope of Hualalai is covered by a layer of volcanic ash 10 to 100 cm thick. Hundreds of years ago, the “Ahu A Umi Heiau” shrine was built on a dry plateau east of Hualalai.
Hualalai is the fourth highest mountain peak in Hawaii, rising to a height of 2,521 m and has a prominence of 936 m. Geological studies have revealed that for the past 5,000 years, a significant part of the Hualalai volcano's surface has been covered by lava flows formed by alkaline basalt shield. While Kilauea may be Hawaii's most famous volcano, Mauna Loa and Hualalai are also active volcanoes. Hualalai's most important secondary feature is Pu'u Wa'awa'a, a 372 m high volcanic cone located north of the summit with a diameter of more than 1.6 km.
For residents of the Kona area, keep in mind that Hualalai has not erupted since 1801; Mauna Loa is considered active but has not erupted since 1984.The slopes of Hualalai Volcano offer GREAT views of the Kona coast and contain beautiful native cloud forests and many volcanic features such as craters, fissures and lava tubes. Hualalai's west coasts are also ideal for resorts, including the Kona Village Resort, Four Seasons Resort, etc.
