NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i

Geodiversity refers to the full variety of natural geologic (rocks, minerals, sediments, fossils, landforms, and physical processes) and soil resources and processes that occur in the park. A product of the Geologic Resources Inventory, the NPS Geodiversity Atlas delivers information in support of education, Geoconservation, and integrated management of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem.

In-depth geologic information is contained in the baseline inventory products of the Geologic Resources Inventory, see table below.

Introduction

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) is located on the southern end of the island of Hawai‘i, the southernmost and largest island of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Originally established as part of Hawai‘i National Park on August 1, 1916, the park was renamed on September 22, 1961, and designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1980 as well as a World Heritage Site in 1987 (National Park Service 2016). HAVO encompasses approximately 130,887 hectares (323,431 acres) of public land that includes unique geologic, biologic, and cultural landscapes. The park was established to protect, study, and provide access to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes, and preserve native Hawaiian ecosystems and the traditional Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes (National Park Service 2017b). The summit of Mauna Loa, active volcanism, rare and endangered biological communities, and prehistoric sites are among some of the special features within HAVO.

Geologic Setting

The geology of HAVO is dominated by young (<2,000 years old) igneous rock units that include lava flows and vent deposits that originated from the active volcanic centers of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Dynamic geologic processes such as volcanism, mass wasting (landslide or slope movement), and seismicity are constantly reshaping the terrain of HAVO over a relatively short time scale. The park landscape consists of relatively barren, fresh lava flow areas, Kīlauea, the gentle slopes of Mauna Loa, and coastal areas where basalt flows form broad slopes and terraces separating sheltered coves along the shore (Thornberry-Ehrlich 2009). Beach areas within HAVO contain intertidal- to supratidal accumulations of black basaltic sand, green olivine sand, and coralline sediments derived from storms and marine highstands, as well as eolian (wind-driven) sand deposits. Natural features at HAVO include stark volcanic flow fields, ephemeral streams cutting narrow gorges, fresh volcanic deposits, cinder cones, numerous small craters, broad vegetated slopes, and a variety of unique and native Hawaiian ecosystems (Thornberry-Ehrlich 2009).

Paleontological Resources

All NPS fossil resources are protected under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11, Title VI, Subtitle D; 16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa - 470aaa-11).

Cave and Karst

All NPS cave resources are protected under the the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 (FCRPA)(16 U.S.C. § 4301 et seq.).

Maps and Reports

Geologic Resources Inventory

The Geologic Resources Inventory produces digital geologic maps and reports for more than 270 natural resource parks. The products listed below are currently available for this park, check back often for updates as many maps, reports, and posters are still in progress.

Scoping summaries are records of scoping meetings where NPS staff and local geologists determined the park’s geologic mapping plan and what content should be included in the report.

• Digital geologic maps include files for viewing in GIS software, a guide to using the data, and a document with ancillary map information. Newer products also include data viewable in Google Earth and online map services.
• Reports use the maps to discuss the park’s setting and significance, notable geologic features and processes, geologic resource management issues, and geologic history.
• Posters are a static view of the GIS data in PDF format. Newer posters include aerial imagery or shaded relief and other park information. They are also included with the reports.
• Projects list basic information about the program and all products available for a park.

Source: NPS DataStore Saved Search 2896
. To search for additional information, visit the
NPS DataStore.

Soil Resources inventory

A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and can be found on the NPS Data Store.

Source: NPS DataStore Saved Search 2967
. To search for additional information, visit the
NPS DataStore.

Two types of lava flows—Pahoehoe in the foreground and ʻAʻā in the middle ground.

Related Links

Hawai'i Volcanoes—Lava Tubes

Hawai'i Volcanoes—Volcanoes

Hawai'i Volcanoes—Photos & Multimedia

Hawai'i Volcanoes—Park Home

NPS—Beaches and Coastal Landforms

NPS—Caves and Karst

NPS—Fossils and Paleontology

NPS—Volcanoes, Craters & Lava Flows

NPS—Plate Tectonics

NPS—Geology

USGS—Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Related Articles

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

• Cenozoic Era — The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths.
• Lava Flow Forms — Young lava flows also have structures and textures that reveal information about their eruptions. Basaltic lava flows come in two major forms: Pāhoehoe and ‘A‘ā.
• Lava Flow Surface Features — Surface features on a lava flow may reveal important information of the specific dynamics that occurred during the eruption and emplacement of the flow.
• Unlocking Earth's Secrets, Layer by Layer — Those splendid rocks in our national parks aren’t just scenic wonders; they’re scientific and cultural treasures. A new geological inventory could help protect them.
• Pillow Basalts — Pillow basalts are named for the rounded shapes that form when lava cools rapidly underwater.
• Inflation Structures, Lava-Rise Plateaus & Inflation Pits — At least five units of the National Park System contain inflation structures such as lava-rise plateaus and inflation pits. Inflation is the process that occurs when lava continues to be supplied within a solidified crust of a basaltic lava flow, causing the flow surface to be lifted upward. Inflation can cause lava flows to substantially thicken and create other features such as tumuli, inflation pits, and inflation clefts to form.
• Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils — The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian.
• Kīpukas — Kipuka are pockets of older land surfaces surrounded by younger lava flows. Kipukas are often stand out as more vegetated areas and may be older lavas or other bedrocks and surface deposits.
• Nonexplosive Calderas — Nonexplosive calderas are located at the summit of most large shield volcanoes, like Kīlauea and Mauna Loa in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. They form during VEI 0-1 (Effusive to Severe) eruptions that drain the shallow magma chambers located beneath them. Nonexplosive calderas can contain pit craters, which are smaller collapse structures, as well as lava lakes that can be active for periods of time.
• Calderas — Calderas are large collapse features that can be many miles in diameter. They form during especially large eruptions when the magma chamber is partially emptied, and the ground above it collapses into the momentary void. Crater Lake and Aniakchak Crater are calderas.

National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas

The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on geoheritage and geodiversity resources and values within the National Park System. This information supports science-based geoconservation and interpretation in the NPS, as well as STEM education in schools, museums, and field camps. The NPS Geologic Resources Division and many parks work with National and International geoconservation communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available.

NPS Geodiversity Atlas

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