Mauna Loa

Definition

Mauna Loa is a massive shield volcano located on the island of Hawai'i. It is one of the largest volcanoes in the world, both in terms of its sheer size and the volume of its eruptions. Mauna Loa's unique characteristics and geological history make it a significant feature in the study of planetary composition, Earth's crust, and the evolution of planetary bodies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth, rising over 13,700 feet (4,170 meters) above sea level and covering an area of over 2,000 square miles (5,200 square kilometers).
2. The volcano is composed primarily of fluid, low-viscosity basaltic lava, which allows it to produce large, voluminous eruptions that can spread rapidly across the landscape.
3. Mauna Loa is located over a hotspot in the Earth's mantle, which provides a consistent source of heat and magma to fuel the volcano's eruptions.
4. The volcano's shield-like shape is characteristic of shield volcanoes, which are formed by the accumulation of many layers of basaltic lava flows over long periods of time.
5. Mauna Loa's eruptions have played a significant role in the formation and evolution of the island of Hawai'i, contributing to the island's growth and shaping its unique geological features.

Review Questions

• Explain how the composition and structure of Mauna Loa relate to the formation and evolution of shield volcanoes.
  • Mauna Loa is a prime example of a shield volcano, characterized by its gently sloping sides and the eruption of highly fluid, low-viscosity basaltic lava. The volcano's shield-like shape is the result of numerous layers of these basaltic lava flows accumulating over time, creating a broad, dome-like structure. The composition of Mauna Loa, being primarily basalt, is typical of shield volcanoes, as this type of magma is less viscous and more prone to producing large, voluminous eruptions that can spread rapidly across the landscape. The formation and evolution of Mauna Loa, and shield volcanoes in general, are closely tied to the presence of a persistent hotspot in the Earth's mantle, which provides a consistent source of heat and magma to fuel the volcano's eruptions over long periods of time.
• Describe how the geological features of Mauna Loa contribute to our understanding of the Earth's crust and its tectonic processes.
  • As one of the largest volcanoes on Earth, Mauna Loa provides valuable insights into the structure and composition of the Earth's crust. The volcano's massive size and the volume of its eruptions indicate the significant amount of magma that can be generated and extruded from the Earth's interior, highlighting the dynamic processes occurring within the crust and mantle. Additionally, Mauna Loa's location over a hotspot in the Earth's mantle demonstrates how these regions of persistent volcanic activity can shape the development and evolution of the Earth's surface features, such as the Hawaiian island chain. The study of Mauna Loa and other shield volcanoes helps scientists better understand the tectonic forces and magmatic processes that contribute to the formation and modification of the Earth's crust over geological timescales.
• Analyze how the characteristics of Mauna Loa, such as its size, composition, and eruptive history, can inform our understanding of planetary evolution in the context of other planetary bodies.
  • The features of Mauna Loa, as a large, active shield volcano, can provide valuable insights into the processes of planetary evolution that may be observed on other celestial bodies. The volcano's massive size and the voluminous nature of its eruptions, driven by a consistent supply of basaltic magma from a hotspot in the Earth's mantle, demonstrate the potential for similar large-scale volcanic activity to occur on other planets or moons with active, differentiated interiors. Additionally, the shield-like shape of Mauna Loa, formed by the accumulation of numerous lava flows over time, is a characteristic shared by shield volcanoes on other planetary bodies, such as Olympus Mons on Mars. By studying the geological history and eruptive patterns of Mauna Loa, scientists can develop a better understanding of the mechanisms driving planetary volcanism and how it may contribute to the overall evolution of planetary surfaces and interiors, which can then be applied to the study of other worlds in our solar system.

Related terms

Shield Volcano: A type of volcano with gently sloping sides, formed by the eruption of highly fluid basaltic lava flows.

Hotspot: A region in the Earth's mantle where a persistent plume of hot material rises, causing volcanic activity on the surface.

Basalt: A type of dark, fine-grained igneous rock that is the primary component of shield volcanoes like Mauna Loa.