Kilauea Volcano: A Geological and Mythological Marvel
Why in News:
Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes globally, has begun erupting again.
About Kilauea Volcano
- Location: Situated in the southern part of Hawaii’s Big Island, within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, U.S.A.
- Type: It is the youngest and most active Hawaiian shield volcano, known for its frequent eruptions.
- Eruption Zones: Eruptions occur either at the summit caldera or along its rift zones.
- Mythological Significance: Halemaʻumaʻu, the central crater, is considered the home of Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess.
Historical Activity:
- Contained a lava lake until 1924.
- Nearly continuous activity marked the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Experienced 34 eruptions since 1952, with near-continuous eruptions in the East Rift Zone from 1983 to 2018.
Key Features:
- Summit Caldera:
- A large depression formed from partial collapse after magma chamber depletion.
- Spans approximately 3 miles long, 2 miles wide, and covers over 4 square miles.
- Proximity to Mauna Loa:
- Shares seamless slopes with Mauna Loa, another major shield volcano, making the region unique with two of the world’s most active volcano summits.
What is a Shield Volcano?
- Definition: A type of volcano with broad, gentle slopes formed by the flow of highly fluid basalt lava.
- Features:
- Dome-shaped and elongated, unlike steeply conical composite volcanoes.
- Eruptions are generally mild, with cinder or spatter cones forming at vents.
- Explosive eruptions occur only when water infiltrates the vent.
- Examples: Kilauea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
Volcanoes in India:
- Barren Island (Andaman Islands): The only active volcano in India.
- Narcondam (Andaman Islands): A dormant volcano.
- Baratang (Andaman Islands): Known for its mud volcanoes.
- Deccan Traps (Maharashtra): A vast volcanic plateau formed by ancient eruptions.
- Dhinodhar Hills (Gujarat): An extinct volcano.
- Dhosi Hill (Haryana): An ancient volcanic site with historical significance.
Where is Kilauea Volcano located?
Kilauea is located in the southern part of Hawaii’s Big Island within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, U.S.A.
What type of volcano is Kilauea?
Kilauea is a Hawaiian shield volcano, characterized by its broad, gentle slopes formed from highly fluid basalt lava.
Why is Kilauea significant in Hawaiian mythology?
Its central crater, Halemaʻumaʻu, is believed to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess.
What are the primary eruption zones of Kilauea?
Eruptions occur either from the summit caldera or along its rift zones.
How active is Kilauea?
Kilauea has recorded 34 eruptions since 1952, with nearly continuous eruptions in the East Rift Zone from 1983 to 2018.
What is Kilauea’s summit caldera?
The summit caldera is a large depression formed by the partial collapse of the volcano after releasing most of its magma chamber. It spans about 3 miles in length, 2 miles in width, and covers an area of over 4 square miles.
How does Kilauea relate to Mauna Loa?
Kilauea’s slopes merge seamlessly with Mauna Loa, making the region home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes.
What is a shield volcano?
A shield volcano is a type of volcano with broad, gentle slopes formed by low-viscosity basalt lava flows.
How are shield volcanoes different from composite volcanoes?
Unlike the steep conical shape of composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes have dome-shaped, elongated structures and produce less explosive eruptions.
What triggers explosive eruptions in shield volcanoes?
Explosions occur if water enters the volcanic vent, causing steam-driven eruptions.
Can you give examples of shield volcanoes?
Examples include Kilauea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
Which is the only active volcano in India?
Barren Island in the Andaman Islands is India’s only active volcano.
What is the status of Narcondam volcano in India?
Narcondam, located in the Andaman Islands, is a dormant volcano.
Are there any mud volcanoes in India?
Yes, mud volcanoes are found in Baratang, located in the Andaman Islands.
What are the Deccan Traps?
The Deccan Traps, located in Maharashtra, are a vast volcanic plateau formed by ancient lava flows.
Which are some extinct volcanic sites in India?
Dhinodhar Hills (Gujarat): An extinct volcano.
Dhosi Hill (Haryana): An ancient volcanic site with historical significance.
What causes volcanoes to erupt?
Volcanic eruptions are caused by the movement of magma from beneath the Earth’s crust due to pressure from gases and molten rock.
How are calderas formed?
Calderas are formed when a volcano collapses after draining most of its magma chamber during an eruption.
What are rift zones in volcanoes?
Rift zones are elongated regions of a volcano where magma rises to the surface through cracks in the crust, often causing eruptions.
What is the difference between active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes?
ctive Volcanoes: Currently erupting or show signs of potential future eruptions (e.g., Kilauea, Barren Island).
Dormant Volcanoes: Not currently active but may erupt in the future (e.g., Narcondam).
Extinct Volcanoes: No signs of future activity (e.g., Dhinodhar Hills).
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