Adventure seekers across the world flock to Hawaii becaus of its astounding natural wonders. From Kilauea Volcano (one of the world's most active volcanoes) to the peaks of Mauna Kea (the world's tallest sea mountain), Hawaii Island a haven for a wide range of incomparable natural wonders. Hawaii's geographic isolation combined with its one of a kind land formations from volcanic eruptions have made an exceedingly magnificent environment that is habitat for various endemic species of flora and fauna.
In spite of all of these, one volcanic feature that many are possibly not aware of is the bizarre geological formation referred as "lava tree".
According to a report in Mother Nature, all these unusual columns are created each time a rush of molten lava gets its way from a forest. Instead of overthrowing most of the trees along the trail, a thin layer of cooled lava covers the trunk of the trees. As the lava drains away, only the solidified lava trees are left standing.
As the U.S. Geological Survey points out, "The bulbous top of each lava tree marks the high stand of the lava flow as it spread through the trees. As the fissure eruption waned, the flow continued to spread laterally; its surface subsided, leaving pillars of lava that had chilled against tree trunks."
At times the charred skeleton of the tree can always be standing within its igneous mold for ages. But commonly, one tree catches fire and burns up completely or soon after the initial surge of lava. When this occurs, it produces a hollowed out trunk.
Anyone interested to see these types of fascination fossil formations, these are naturally positioned along the slopes of basaltic shield volcanoes that are affected by liquid lava flows. Lava Trees State Monument is just on the state parks tourist may visit to see these amazing formations.
On the Big Island just southwest of the town of Pāhoa in the Puna District, the igneous casts were shaped after Kilauea volcano erupted in 1790. In the centuries after that, a new forest has come into sight but the ominous towering lava trees continue to remain as a symbol of the island's intriguing yet complex natural background.
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