Hawaiian volcanoes

Hawaiian volcanoes are formed by hot mantle material rising from beneath Earth’s crust, creating magma that erupts on the surface. As this magma cools, it builds up layers of lava, forming large, shield-shaped volcanoes with gentle slopes. These volcanoes are usually eruptions of basaltic lava, which flows easily and can create extensive lava fields. Notable examples include Mauna Loa and Kilauea, which are among the world’s most active. Their unique shape and activity are due to the specific magma chemistry and the island’s position over a volcanic hotspot—a fixed zone where magma continuously rises to fuel eruptions.