Short Wave What Makes Hawaii's Erupting Volcanoes Special
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Dec 7, 2022 In this engaging discussion, volcanologist Alison Graettinger, from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, shares her expertise on Hawaii's volcanoes. She dives into the remarkable recent eruption of Mauna Loa, highlighting its unique geological features. Graettinger explains the simultaneous eruptions of Mauna Loa and Kilauea and what they reveal about deep Earth processes. Moreover, she discusses the sophisticated monitoring systems predicting these eruptions and how they help us understand the Earth's inner workings.
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Volcano Formation
- Molten rock, reduced pressure, or added heat create volcanoes.
- Hawaii's volcanoes result from a hotspot, where hotter rock rises and melts overlying crust.
Hotspot Volcanoes
- Hawaiian volcanoes, unlike those in the Ring of Fire, sit in the middle of the Pacific plate.
- Hotspots like Hawaii and Galapagos arise from plumes of hot material burning through the crust.
Rift Zones
- Rift zones in volcanoes, like Mauna Loa and Kilauea, are fractured areas caused by the weight of lava.
- These fractures create pathways for magma to reach the surface, leading to eruptions.