Volcano NP
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an American national park located in the U.S. state of Hawaii on the island of Hawaii. The park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's largest shield volcano.
The park provides scientists with insight into the development of the Hawaiian Islands and access for studies of volcanism. For visitors, the park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, glimpses of rare flora and fauna, and a view into the traditional Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes.
Overview
The haul from the Hilo airport to Volcano NP is 30 miles or about 45 minutes.
The park itself is very accessible by car and bicycle. All the sites are clearly marked and easy to follow.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
Let’s start by defining some terms. The molten rock that is present beneath the surface of the earth is termed as Magma. The molten liquid that gets erupted out of the surface of the Earth is termed as lava. Lava is also referred to as liquid magma. When the lava cools, it forms a black igneous rock called basalt
Life Finds a Way
When a volcano erupts and the lava flows, absolute destruction will always follow. Any and everything in its path will melt and die as temperatures of molten lava range from about 1,300 to 2,200 °F.
Vegetation that we found growing in the former patch of lava flows.
Staying in the Park
There is a hotel located inside of the park, the Volcano House. It is certanly not the finest hotel, it is average at best and it will run you $285/ night in peak season. A meal here will set you back on average $35 but it is pretty decent. On a positive note you wake up inside the park and alternative options are limited. The views are spectacular and this is a once in a lifetime trip so who cares about the money.
Distance From Home
Volcano NP Map
Other Destinations
