Week 2 - Mauna Loa Volcanic Rock

The Mauna Loa volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on earth. It stands 13,680 feet above sea level. The volcano is 60 miles long and 30 miles wide.Half the island is made up from the volcano. Since 1832, the volcano has erupted 39 times. The last verified eruption was in 1984. The United States Geological Survey has estimated the volcano has erupted about every 6 years for the last 3000 years. 

Mauna Loa flow chart                                    Credit:https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/

Mauna Loa Volcano                                          Credit:www.britannica.com

The most common type of igneous rocks are tholeiitic rocks. The Mauna Loa produces tholeiitic basalt from the seismic activity and the release, and cooling of magma. 

Tholeiitic basalt                 Credit: http://www.alexstrekeisen.it