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Watch Amazing Footage of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

See how the Hawaiian Islands were formed in real-time.

By: Liam McNally + Save to a List

It's mind-boggling to try to comprehend the timespan and method in which dramatic natural landscapes were created. Looking out at Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View, for example, it's difficult to imagine a 4,000 ft. thick glacier carving its way through the Sierra about a million years ago. There are only a few places around the world where we can witness the actual activity that created the mountains, valleys, canyons, lakes, or islands that we love to explore.

The Hawaiian Islands were formed from a hot spot underneath the Pacific Plate between 400,000 and 28,000,000 years ago, the younger islands in the southeastern end of the archipelago and the oldest in the northwestern end. What's so amazing about this is that you can still witness the volcanic activity that formed the islands in action today! Check out this film from the talented team at More Than Just Parks (or better yet, go visit Volcanoes National Park) to see a little bit of Hawaii's geological history in real-time.


 

More Than Just Parks is a project started by brothers and filmmakers Will Pattiz & Jim Pattiz, founders of Sea Raven Media. This project was born out of their love for the National Parks and enthusiasm for engaging multimedia. The goal of our project is to share the wonders of our national parks with as many people as we can, thereby ensuring their continued protection and enjoyment for generations to come. We plan to accomplish this goal through visually stunning short films, engaging online interactions, and breathtaking imagery. Eventually, we plan to create short films covering each park. 


We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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