2017 Map of Alika Cone

About this map

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park dominates this high-elevation landscape on the Island of Hawai'i, where the geology of Mauna Loa’s southwest rift zone is etched into the terrain. The map serves as a chronological record of volcanic activity, tracing the distinct paths of the Ālika Lava Flow of 1919, the Lava Flow of 1926, and several major eruptions from mid-century. Significant among these are the Honokua Lava Flow of 1950 and the Ka'apuna Lava Flow of 1950, which illustrate how successive flows have reshaped the slopes. Centrally located, the Ālika Cone stands as a prominent landmark amidst the cooling basalt. The presence of features like Kīpukanēnē and Keapōhina indicates areas of older ground or vegetation that were spared by the advancing molten rock, offering a study in how the island's surface is perpetually reclaimed and transformed by volcanic forces.