 ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park features two active volcanoes. See more national park pictures. |
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718
808-985-6000
www.nps.gov/havo
Hawaii's Big Island is in a state of steady expansion, thanks to its active volcanoes. At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you can visit the smoldering calderas of two volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and you can see vents and lava tunnels that are spewing forth a fiery show of lava.
Entrance fees: $10/vehicle for seven days or $5/individual for seven days
Visitor center: Kilauea Visitor Center is open daily.
Other services: A museum, three campgrounds, a hotel, and cabins
Accommodations: Namakani Paio and Kulanaokuaiki campgrounds are available year-round and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A hotel, Volcano House (808-967-7321), is available year-round.
Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The amazing phenomenon featured in this national park begins as a deep rumble, more felt than heard. Sometimes this reverberation is coupled with an ominous, slow hiss that sounds like a disturbed snake. A series of temblors may follow: slow rumbling quakes or great cracking snaps in the ground. These early warnings may last for hours or days.
Suddenly a fissure opens, and as it lengthens rapidly, it emits a blast of steam followed by a fiery fountain of white-hot lava that shoots hundreds of feet into the sky. More and more spouts of lava burst from fresh cracks, and at night they light up the sky for miles around. The frightening roar builds to an overwhelming cascade of sound, and the acrid smell of burning sulfur is everywhere.
It is impossible to witness such a spectacle and not realize that the most colossal raw powers of nature are on display. Scientists who study volcanoes know that there are few better places to see this grandest of all sound-and-light shows than on the Big Island of Hawaii at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
There are five volcanoes on the island, two of which are encompassed by the park: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Both are among the world's most active volcanoes. More than 4,000 feet above sea level and still growing, Kilauea rises from the southeastern flank of the older and much larger Mauna Loa.
These fiery mountains are not huge steep-sided cones topped with snow, like Fuji-san in Japan or Mount Rainier in Washington. Instead, these volcanoes in Hawaii rise more gently from the sea to a great caldera on the summit. This kind of mountain is called a "shield volcano" because the top looks like an ancient warrior's shield lying face down.
The enormity of these volcanoes is impressive, but it's nothing compared to the fiery light shows you'll see at their summits. On the next page, learn more about the amazing sights you'll see in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Established: 1916; renamed in 1961 Size: 333,000 acres Terrain: Volcanic mountains, desert, and forest Highlight: Kilauea crater Wildlife: Numerous species found only in the Hawaiian islands Activities: Ranger-led walks, talks, slide shows, and films; hiking, backcountry fishing, art center, workshops, seminars, and backpacking |
