Here are some of the most interesting and important facts about Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park:
🌋 1. Home to Two of the World’s Most Famous Volcanoes
- The park stradles both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
- Kīlauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
- Mauna Loa is the world’s largest active shield volcano by volume and area.
🌎 2. The Park Covers an Incredible Elevation Range
- It stretches from sea level to 13,681 feet (4,170 m) at Mauna Loa’s summit.
- This creates dramatically different climates and ecosystems—from tropical rainforest to alpine desert.
🌺 3. One of the Most Biodiverse Places in Hawaii
- The park protects many endangered native plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.
- Native birds include the ʻapapane, ʻamakihi, and the endangered ʻakiapōlāʻau.
- Much of the forest is part of an ancient native ecosystem.
🔥 4. The Island is Still Growing
- Every lava flow adds new land to Hawaiʻi. Since 2018, almost all growth of the Big Island has been vertical because the eruptions have been confined to Halemaumau Crater.
- Although not every eruption reaches the ocean, over thousands of years lava has continually expanded the Big Island.
