Mauna Loa

Mauna Loa (/ˌmɔːnə ˈloʊ.ə, ˌmaʊnə -/, Hawaiian: [ˈmɐwnə ˈlowə]; lit. 'Long Mountain') is one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. Mauna Loa is Earth's largest active volcano by both mass and volume. It was historically considered to be the largest volcano on Earth until the submarine mountain Tamu Massif was discovered to be larger. Mauna Loa is a shield volcano with relatively gentle slopes, and a volume estimated at 18,000 cubic miles (75,000 km), although its peak is about 125 feet (38 m) lower than that of its neighbor, Mauna Kea. Lava eruptions from Mauna Loa are silica-poor and very fluid, and tend to be non-explosive.

Ancient Hawaiians arrived to the island bringing various changes to the ecosystem. Hunting resulted in the extinction of some bird species, but the Ancient Hawaiians also introduced various plant and animal species, changing the erosion rates of the land. Many religious and traditions beliefs connected the people to the volcanoes. Mauna Loa being the largest of the five volcanoes was admired greatly. While many stories and folklore of Gods and Goddesses like Pele still exist today, it has become less practiced by Native Hawaiians.