Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Location:	Hawaii, USA
Nearest city:	Hilo, Hawai'i
Coordinates:	19°23′0″N, 155°12′0″W
Area:	330,000 acres (1348 km²)
Established:	August 1, 1916
Visitation:	2,564,761 (in 2004)
Governing body:	National Park Service

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, displays the results of 30 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution—processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. The park encompasses diverse environments that range from sea level to the summit of the earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, offers scientists insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors' views of dramatic volcanic landscapes. The park includes 505 mi² (1348 km²) of land.

Over half of the park is designated wilderness and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has been designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site.

It is said that if any volcanic rock is taken from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (or anywhere in Hawaii) that the person that took it will be cursed until it is returned. The same is true for black sand. While purportedly an ancient Hawaiian belief, historians can trace this legend only to the mid twentieth century.

The volcanic activity generated in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park helped create Kalapana black sand beach (now covered by lava from the current eruption) and other black sand beaches.

Hawai‘i national parks.

Lava erupting from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent

Old lava flows covering roads

Slow moving lava can be approached quite closely

[edit] External links

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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