OPPapers.com

Volcano

Viewing an erupting volcano is a memorable experience; one that has inspired
fear, superstition, worship, curiosity, and fascination throughout the history of
mankind. The active Hawaiian volcanoes have received special attention
worldwide because of their frequent spectacular eruptions, which can be viewed
and studied with a relative ease and safety. The island of Hawaii is composed of
five volcanoes, three of which have been active within the past two hundred years.
Kilauea's latest eruption still continues as of today. Mauna Loa's latest activity
was in 1984 and Hualalai's in 1800-1801, but is likely to erupt again within the
next one hundred years. East Maui, or Haleakala, one of the oldest volcanoes,
has a long eruptive history and recent activity indicates that the volcano will erupt
in the near future. Last but not least, the Loihi Seamount, sometimes known as
the "youngest volcano" is an undersea mountain this is still active. Scientists now
believe that the hot spots lie in the ocean, deep beneath the volcanoes. These
hot spots spew out of molten rock that rises to the water's surface and hardens.
After doing this for a long time, the hardened lava forms an island, like the
Hawaiian islands (Volcanoes Online).

The Kilauea volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on earth. It's current
eruption started in January 1983, and there is no signs that the current eruption is
slowing or will come to an end anytime soon. The U.S. Geological Observatory
monitors the daily activities of the volcano, for example-movement of lava flows,
earthquakes, surface deformation, and gas production. Kilauea has been...