Our planet is so wise that nothing is here by chance, no element present on Earth is superfluous, but each one fulfills an important function. Our planet does not have a homogeneous surface, but a lot of reliefs make up its landscapes, reliefs that are necessary to control wind currents or release energy from its core. Volcanoes help the planet release energy and show us the power of nature. Not all volcanoes are the same, there are some inactive, others smaller. But among so many there is one that is distinguished by its indomitable size, this is the largest volcano in the world.
What is the largest volcano in the world?
Hawaii’s Mauna Loa holds the title of the world’s largest volcano. The Tamu submarine volcano, located in the Pacific Ocean east of Japan, was previously believed to be the largest of all volcanoes on Earth. However, new research on the magnetic faults of Tamu shows that Mauna Loa exceeds it in size.
Mauna Loa is one of the five volcanoes that make up the island of Hawaii in the United States. Accompanied by Kohala, Hualalai, Kilauea and Mauna Kea, it rises from the sea to form one of the most peculiar islands in the world. Mauna Loa rises 4,170 meters above sea level and is a currently active volcano.
Scholars of geological history believe that it has been active for about 700,000 years, although it was not always visible beyond the depths of the sea. It is believed that it emerged from marine waters around 400,000 years ago. The last time lava flowed down the slopes of Mauna Loa was between March 24 and April 15, 1984, although on that occasion there was no damage to surrounding human communities on the island.
Among the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth
The force of nature is not something to be taken lightly, which is why the Hawaii Volcano Observatory has kept an eye on the untamed active volcano since 1912. In fact, it is part of the Decade Volcanoes program, which promotes the study of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth.
According to investigations, it is likely that the birth of Mauna Loa occurred as an underwater volcano in the first instance. Although over the years, it continued to grow progressively thanks to the marine eruptions of basalt before emerging from the ocean. Then a series of eruptions that occurred about 400,000 years ago finally pushed it above sea level to its current size.
The imposing height of the world’s largest volcano reminds us that the planet is alive. We are only witnesses of the force of nature and its great phenomena that finally allow us to continue living here. Nothing on this planet is here by chance, nor is it superfluous, everything is intertwined to finally allow life.
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