| The main island of
Hawaii is very active. The volcanoes of Hawaii extrude very thick
lava, which creates a "shield-like" shape. The Hawaiian
volcanoes are classic examples of shield volcanoes. The eruption is
not always in one large vent, but in can occur in fissures. The lava
that is emitted from Hawaii begins to cool as it reaches the surface
of the Earth. The cooling lava causes many wonderful appearances.
It can create spectacular rivers of lava that
race down the sides of the volcano. Lava may continue to flow as the
crust thickens, causing internal tubes where the lava once flowed.
Flows of lava when cooled form pahoehoe lava,
which is a Hawaiian word for "ropey," can be seen throughout
the islands. Lava when it reaches the ocean, creates a glassy coating
over it and forms "pillow lavas."
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Hawaiian volcano as the lava flows into the ocean.
Pahoehoe lava
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