The Explosive Truth:
A Volcano's Lifecycle
Audio Tour
Three Elements Shaping an Island
Right now you are standing in front of three of the most powerful forces on Earth that help shape our ever-changing volcanic island landscape: lava rock, water, and wind.
On the right you’ll notice two different types of lava. The rough-looking lava is called ʻaʻā and the smooth or ropy lava is called pāhoehoe. They are the two most common types of lava flows that occur here in Hawaiʻi. Lava creates the foundation of our Islands, upon which everything lives and grows.
The next two forces work against the lava, naturally eroding and weathering the shield volcanoes, creating the beautiful cliffs and valleys you see on these Islands. Whether it be due to rain, stream, waterfall, or wind, water as well as wind are constantly shaping the face of our volcanic islands.
Alright, so now we see what these forces have done to Oʻahu, but what happens over tens of millions of years to a volcanic island? If you spot some birds flying high above, it will lead you to our Island’s last stop!