Danger In The Ring Of Fire Zone – How Mauna Loa World’s Biggest And Most Active Volcano Formed – Revealed After 186 Years

MessageToEagle.com – Researchers have solved the 168-year-old mystery of how the world’s biggest and most active volcanoes formed in Hawaii.

The study revealed that the volcanoes formed along twin tracks due to a shift in the Pacific Plate’s direction three million years ago.

Kilauea, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is considered the most active volcano in the world.
Along with Mauna Loa, these two volcanoes are well known to be very dangerous to the population nearby.

Researchers have long known of the existence of the twin volcanic tracks since 1849, but the cause of them had remained a mystery until now.

“The discovery helps to better reconstruct Earth’s history and understand part of the world that has captivated people’s imagination,” said Mr Tim Jones, a PhD student from the Australian National University (ANU).

“The analysis we did on past Pacific Plate motions is the first to reveal that there was a substantial change in motion 3 million years ago. It helps to explain the origin of Hawaii, Earth’s biggest volcanic hotspot and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.”

See also:

Ring Of Fire: Home To Powerful And Deadly Forces Lurking Deep Beneath Earth’s Surface

Ring Of Fire: Gigantic Zone Of Frequent Earthquakes And Volcanic Eruptions

Krakatoa Prophecy – Samson’s Mysterious Dream

Krakatoa – Most Dangerous Volcano Erupted- On August 26, 1883

Twin volcanic tracks exist in other parts of the Pacific, including Samoa, and the study found that these also emerged three million years ago. Mr Jones said this kind of volcanic activity was surprising because it occurred away from tectonic plate boundaries, where most volcanoes are found.

“Heat from the Earth’s core causes hot columns of rock, called mantle plumes, to rise under tectonic plates and produce volcanic activity on the surface,” he said.

“Mantle plumes have played a role in mass extinctions, the creation of diamonds and the breaking up of continents.”

Co-researcher Dr Rhodri Davies from RSES said the twin volcanic tracks emerged because the mantle plume was out of alignment with the direction of the plate motion.

“Our hypothesis predicts that the plate and the plume will realign again at some stage in the future, and the two tracks will merge to form a single track once again,” Dr Davies said.

“Plate shifts have been occurring constantly, but irregularly, throughout Earth’s history. Looking further back in time we find that double tracks are not unique to young Hawaiian volcanism — indeed, they coincide with other past changes in plate motion.”

Kilauea, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is considered the most active volcano in the world. Along with Mauna Loa, these two volcanoes are well known to be very dangerous to the population nearby. Many ancient myths and legends are related into the two major volcanoes on the Big Island, Mauna Loa and Kilauea.

According to one legend, Pele, the goddess of fire, is said to live in Kilauea, located on the flank of the huge Mauna Loa volcano. Legend warns that the goddess has to be respected and rocks from this volcano should not be taken away; otherwise fire and lava may be dangerous for a person until the rocks are returned.

Both Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes are located in Volcanoes National Park, which is also considered to be part of Pele’s home area.

Research

MessageToEagle.com 

Expand for references