Why in the news?
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Honaunau-Napoopoo on the Big Island.
About the Big Island
- The largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago
- Part of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean
- Area: ~10,432 km²
- Formed through volcanic activity
Five Major Volcanoes
- Kohala
- Hualālai
- Mauna Kea
- Mauna Loa
- Kīlauea
Important Volcanoes
Mauna Loa
- One of the world’s largest volcanoes
- Shield volcano
- Greatest mass of any mountain on Earth
Kīlauea
- Among the world’s most active volcanoes
- Frequently erupting since 1983
Shield Volcano
- A volcano with broad, gentle slopes formed by fluid lava flows. Examples: Mauna Loa and Kīlauea
Mauna Kea
- The highest point in Hawaii above sea level
- Hosts major astronomical observatories
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Protects Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes
Why are Earthquakes Common in Hawaii?
Due to:
- Volcanic activity
- Movement of tectonic plates
- Hotspot volcanism
Hotspot Volcanism
- A hotspot is a place where hot magma rises from Earth’s mantle. As the Pacific Plate moves over it, volcanic islands form.
[2024] Consider the following:
1. Pyroclastic debris
2. Ash and dust
3. Nitrogen compounds
4. Sulphur compounds
How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
