pronounced hawaiian active volcano island westernmost youngest active shield form island following larger peak stands feet sea level estimated risen sea level years ago despite maintaining low level activity eruption considered active expected time century relative residents area caused activity consequences event area near volcano inhabited centuries hawaiian natives dating recorded history coast west particular royal complexes volcano important home rare species nature reserves near summit popular hiking attraction today coast near vacation resorts built historic flows national historical park geology structural features stands prominence westernmost major form island post shield stage development overall shape structure youthful structure denoted rift zones developed approximately northwest moderately developed southeast poorly developed northwards east summit arranged rift zones summit collapse crater atop small lava shield southern slope modern town consists lava flows covered layer volcanic ash thick comparison island tallest oldest active second smallest making island major hawaiian hill volcanic cone standing tall measuring diameter extends prominence north summit cone constructed type volcanic lava exists volcano flows slowly typically hawaiian characteristic caused high composition typical originally formed eruption little years ago continued build distinct flows recognized partially covered flows built distinctive structure known ridge westward facing flank forms large underwater slump known slump area km2 slump consists intricate formation beaches waterline area explored closely joint japan united_states project explore volcano flanks utilizing remotely operated vehicle data collected showed lava flows originated shallow water deep unlike similar slump formed gradually known source rock earth mantle brought lava flows prehistoric deposits event contain large size abundant quantity history lava attributed shield stage found offshore volcano northwest rift zone indicative submarine volcano construction found wells driven volcano depth persisted estimated years ago entered post shield stage stage presently years ago sign change geological mapping volcano indicated volcano surface topped lava flows years entirely composed shield half years old years age years originated lava flows poured sea west coast history active volcano making island larger erupted times years times activity volcano years recent calm period earthquake activity seen growth homes businesses resorts mountain flanks recent major activity volcano intense earthquake likely caused action near volcano peak relatively recent past potentially active expected years lava divided exposed lava flows erupted volcano years rock units age groups summarized table eruption erupted eruption produced fluid lava flows entered ocean western tip island active time produced flows eventually reached ocean total output volume flow estimated volcanic vent situated high slope produced large flow dubbed flow reached ocean distinct way overran village valuable fishing pond local legend failure offerings animals items gods flow finally stopped threw lock hair fire flow known particularly large quantity came major outflow event reached sea south bay destroying village flow known flow formed located north eruption concurrent eruption nearby near past recent activity erupted severe earthquake shook volcano lasting month caused worth damage district million earthquakes felt far away honolulu probably caused movement near surface surface activity eruption hawaii earthquake north near caused damage area future monitoring erupted years ago near future year estimated pause activity coming end presents distinct hazard communities example event eruption similar event volcano summit covered completely matter hours according lava scale listed threat level comparison listed threat levels flanks volcano pose lower threat population area near rift zones distance short slopes steep lava poses threat near source maintained seismic recording station east summit monitor volcano time single earthquake indicative activity volcano occurred experience magnitude earthquakes year attributed deep source coast north western rift zone related movement currently process upgrading aging monitoring equipment funds agency plans add sensors help monitor activity addition uses gps measure slight changes tilt slope indicative movement survey conducted years changes recorded human history home native people ancient times centuries ago built dry plateau east mountain lies shore west site ancient hawaiian settlement called lands water rugged volcanic terrain attracted sea life making appealing place settle main attractions park area constructed rocks natural coast extensive settlement south park favored hawaiian royalty long hawaii rested year campaign unite hawaiian isles death triggered social chaos built missionaries lava rock crushed coral stands today hawaii kings spent time maintained museum today coast west popular location vacation resorts rain shadow mountain causes sunny days resort built golf course vacation home complex built flow damaged generated earthquake hawaii belt road traverses western slopes upper route called lower route named coffee crop grows western slope near town family early coffee merchant owned large ranch western volcano road slopes named frank known saddle road crosses plateau north provides remote training ground united_states_army recreational significance interesting features especially volcanic popular destination relatively easy climb land summit volcano owned routinely denies access attempting climb routes pass estate hiking illegal laws enforced slip popular features sister pit deepest island known pit explored depth known deeper walls proper technical equipment ecology environment bare volcanic rock covered form vegetation bushes grass common trees grow summit collapse particular vegetation sized vertical forests inside including tree volcano populated birds animals coast particular attracts fish sea dependent animals green sea turtle black winged averages rainfall year summit gets rain coast typically obscured heavy cloud cover ecological reserves lie flanks forest sanctuary established sister reserve long term ecological research hawaiian moist forest dry forest lies mile volcano summit northwestern flank elevation differs sea level near coastal edge near summit median annual rainfall plentiful lava flows 19th century provide unique soil growth region southern section reserve closest summit split bird sanctuary forest reserve southwestern flank volcano preserves extensive forest stand smaller trees reserve measures acres protects ecosystem largely surrounding area spring reserve lower slopes mountain somewhat home flowering woody dense
Hualālai