As National Park Week wraps up today, let"s explore a park in a land sculpted by fire and time—Hawai"i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. The Halema"uma"u Crater is an intermittent lava lake in Kīlauea, one of Earth"s most active volcanoes. Since it was first documented in 1823, volcanic activity has caused the crater to fill with lava, partially collapse, erupt in fountains of lava, expand to twice its size on two occasions, and at times fill with groundwater. All this activity demonstrates the unpredictable raw power that lies below the surface of the Earth. The natural and cultural importance of this site led to the establishment of Hawai"i Volcanoes National Park in 1916, and to it being named a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site in the 1980s.
Halemaumau Crater, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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New Year s Eve
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Paper lanterns on the longest night
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Yungang Grottoes, Shanxi, China
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North Cascades National Park at 50
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Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
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Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland
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A lush, green escape
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Mexican giant cardon cactus
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World Octopus Day
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A showcase for future fame
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A grotesque scene
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An underwater rainbow
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The snows of Fuji
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A Christmas market with a long history
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Moselle River loop near Kröv, Germany
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Endangered Species Act
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Greetings from Asbury Park
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National Take a Hike Day
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Goðafoss waterfall, Iceland
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Black grouses lekking
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Happy Bee Day to you
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National Lighthouse Day
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Cloudy with a chance of enlightenment
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Longtailed widowbird at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa
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I ll call for pen and ink
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Reflecting on Black History Month
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Class, please take out a No. 2 pencil…
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A young jaguar on a riverbank, Pantanal, Brazil
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Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
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Talampaya National Park, Argentina