East Molokai Volcano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Molokai Volcano |
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| Wailau | |
Aerial photo of the southwestern flank of East Molokai Volcano
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,512 m (4,961 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Molokai, Hawaii, United States |
| Parent range | Hawaiian Islands |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain |
The East Molokai Volcano, also known as Wailau, is an extinct shield volcano. It makes up most of the eastern part of the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaii, USA. A shield volcano is a type of volcano that looks like a warrior's shield lying on the ground. This is because its lava flows easily and spreads out, creating gentle slopes.
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About the East Molokai Volcano
The East Molokai Volcano is quite large. It is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) wide and 150 kilometers (93 miles) long. It is connected to other volcanoes like the West Molokai, Lanai and Haleakalā volcanoes.
This volcano started forming about 2 million years ago. Its main growth phase, when it built its shield shape, ended around 1.5 million years ago. After that, some smaller eruptions happened between 1.5 and 1.3 million years ago. The Kalaupapa Peninsula is a younger part of the volcano. It formed from lava flows after the main volcano was built.
Part of an Ancient Island
The East Molokai Volcano was once part of a much larger ancient island called Maui Nui. This big island was made up of seven main volcanoes. Besides East Molokai, these included West Molokai, Lānaʻi, West Maui, East Maui, Penguin Bank, and Kahoʻolawe. Over time, parts of Maui Nui sank below the sea, leaving behind the islands we see today.
Kamakou Peak and the Pēpēʻōpae Bog
The highest point of the East Molokai Volcano is a peak called Kamakou. It is located on the southern edge of the volcano. Kamakou stands tall at 1,512 meters (4,961 feet) above sea level.
Just below the top of Kamakou, you can find the Pēpēʻōpae bog. A bog is a type of wetland that is very wet and spongy. It is a unique natural area.
The Giant Landslide
About 1.4 million years ago, something incredible happened to the East Molokai Volcano. The entire northern side of the volcano collapsed! A huge section, about one-third of the volcano, suddenly slid into the ocean. This created enormous cliffs that rise about 900 meters (3,000 feet) straight up from the sea.
This landslide was incredibly powerful. It sent debris about 190 kilometers (118 miles) out into the sea. The landslide also caused a massive megatsunami. This giant wave was about 600 meters (2,000 feet) high! It crashed over the rest of Molokai and caused a lot of damage to the nearby Hawaiian Islands. The powerful wave even reached the coastlines of California and Mexico.
Images for kids
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Aerial photo of the southwestern flank of East Molokai Volcano
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