Information
Landmark: Mauna LoaCity: Hilo
Country: USA Hawaii
Continent: North America
Mauna Loa, Hilo, USA Hawaii, North America
Overview
Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth, rises across the Big Island of Hawaii, stretching over slopes that cover most of the island’s rugged terrain.It’s part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, about 30 miles southwest of Hilo and roughly 96 miles southeast of Kona, where the air smells faintly of sulfur.Mauna Loa, a massive shield volcano with broad, gentle slopes, rises 13,681 feet (4,170 meters) above sea level-but from its base deep on the ocean floor, it towers more than 33,500 feet (10,210 meters), making it Earth’s tallest mountain.Sprawling over 5,271 square kilometers (2,035 square miles), it covers about half of Hawaii’s Big Island.Since 1843, it’s erupted 33 times, most recently in November 2022, when glowing rivers of lava returned after nearly four decades of quiet.Its size and shape come from the thin, fast-moving lava that builds it layer by layer.Over a million years ago, Mauna Loa started taking shape, its fiery birth driven by the Hawaiian hot spot churning beneath the Pacific Plate.Its smooth, dome-like slopes formed over centuries of steady basaltic lava flows, each one adding a thin, dark layer of rock.In the past, Mauna Loa’s massive eruptions even sent enough ash and gas into the air to nudge the planet’s climate.Massive eruptions can send clouds of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide into the air, enough to shift weather patterns; in Hawaiian mythology, Mauna Loa is the fiery home of Pele, goddess of volcanoes and flame.Mauna Loa holds deep meaning in the spiritual and cultural life of Native Hawaiians, standing like a vast, quiet guardian over the island.At Mauna Loa’s summit lies the vast Moku‘āweoweo Caldera, a volcanic crater nearly three miles across, reached by demanding treks like the Mauna Loa Observatory Trail or the Summit Trail; its sprawling lava flows have shaped much of the Big Island, some pouring into the sea to create fresh black rock and transform coastal ecosystems, while at 11,135 feet the Mauna Loa Observatory tracks volcanic activity and measures carbon dioxide for global climate research, and eruptions along the northeast rift often threaten Hilo, whereas those on the southwest rift tend to send molten rivers toward the Kona coast.The Mauna Loa Summit Trail is a tough, multi-day trek that begins at the Mauna Loa Observatory, demanding careful prep, the right permits for backcountry camping, and a willingness to push through thin air and rocky lava fields for sweeping views of the caldera.For something shorter, the Pu‘u Ula‘ula (Red Hill) Trail offers a quicker climb with equally breathtaking scenery.When the volcano erupts, crowds gather to watch glowing rivers of lava snake down its slopes.In Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, lookout points let you safely take in sweeping views, while Mauna Loa’s high slopes-cool and crisp at night-offer some of the clearest skies for spotting stars, planets, and even the faint shimmer of the Milky Way; the park’s Visitor Center also features hands-on exhibits and ranger talks that explore the volcano’s geology, eruptions, and cultural significance, with summer (May to October) bringing warm, dry days for hiking and winter (November to April) offering cooler air and, at times, a dusting of summit snow.Some trails might be slick with ice or closed off entirely.You’ll need a permit for any backcountry hiking or camping, and your $30-per-vehicle, 7‑day park pass covers entry to Mauna Loa through Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.At the summit and observatory, the thin, cool air can trigger altitude sickness, so watch for headaches or shortness of breath.Give yourself time to adjust, and be ready for the weather-at the summit, even in midsummer, the air can bite like ice when the temperature dips below freezing.Layer up, pack your rain jacket, and always follow park warnings-steer clear of restricted zones near active lava, where the heat shimmers in the air.Sitting beside Mauna Loa, Kīlauea rumbles within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, while the Thurston Lava Tube winds through a lush rainforest you can walk right into.Drive the Chain of Craters Road to trace the path of old lava flows, then head into Hilo Town for fresh market fruit, quiet gardens, and misty waterfalls.Mauna Loa isn’t just vast rock and ash-it’s a living force, full of Hawaii’s raw energy and beauty.Hike its rugged trails, watch the stars burn cold in the night sky, or stand close enough to feel the heat as lava hardens into new earth-Mauna Loa shows you nature’s power and artistry in full.Adventurers, scientists, and anyone fascinated by the raw forces that mold our world will find this place unforgettable-the ground here even trembles under your feet.
