|
Volcanology is the study of volcanoes and their
associated geological processes. Scientists and students come from
all over the world to study and research Hawai'i's volcanoes, and
there is a great deal of volcanic research conducted on the island.
Hawai'i Island is, indisputably, one of the best
places in the world to study volcanoes. The Island is comprised
of 5 major volcanoes: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and
Kohala. Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth. Kilauea
is one of the most prolific volcanoes on Earth (in terms of the
amount of lava it erupts each year). According to the U.S. Geological
Survey, no rift-zone eruption in the past 600 years even comes close
to matching the duration and volume of activity of Kilauea's eruption
over the last two decades. Kilauea also offers a relatively safe
environment for sampling active flows, as compared to other volcanoes
(and a spectacular close-up view!). The National Park Service requires
scientists to obtain a permit before conducting research activities
that involve sampling within the boundaries of the Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park, which is where most of the active eruptions occur.
Permits can be obtained over the Internet at http://science.nature.nps.gov/research.
The Center for the Study
of Active Volcanoes (CSAV), staffed by scientists and faculty
from the University of Hawai'i and the U.S. Geological Survey, offers
unparalleled training in volcano monitoring and modeling technologies.
In addition to its research activities, CSAV has provided state-of-the-art
training for scientists from developing countries on volcano hazard
monitoring.
Lo'ihi is an undersea volcanic mountain submerged in the Pacific
off of the southeastern coast of the Big Island. It is sometimes
considered Hawai'i Island's sixth and youngest volcano. The University
of Hawai'i has studied Lo'ihi with the Hawaii Undersea Geo-observatory
(HUGO), a one-of-a-kind submersible research vessel.
Hawai'i's volcanoes and Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess
of Fire who is said to reside on Kilauea, are central to Hawaiian
culture. The lineage of the Hawaiian people is traced through the
chants and stories of Pele and her family. Pele plays a powerful
role in the life cycle of destruction and renewal - whatever is
in the fiery path of Pele is destroyed, while new land is created
where her lava flows into the sea.
|
