What is it?
It’s an active, underwater
volcano and it will soon
become a new Hawaiian
Island.
This seamount is located near
Mauna Loa, which is also the
largest active volcano in the
world.
Loihi is a part of the
Hawaiian Emperor Seamount
Chain, and they formed from
the same hotspots. Loihi is
the youngest volcano in this
chain.
What can Happen?
Loihi is an active volcano, so volcanic
eruptions are a real threat.
Volcanic eruptions can cause
earthquakes and tsunamis.
Tsunamis and earthquakes can affect
the other Hawaiian Islands through a
process called erosion.
It is possible that Loihi island will
never emerge above sea level and that
the next link in the island chain has not
yet begun to form.
How did this happen?
The Hawaiian Islands formed from a
single hotspot. As the plate moves the
hotspot creates a new island.
As a new island forms, another island
continues to be carried away from its
source it gets destroyed by erosion. The
island then turns into a tablemount
Solutions
Signs that a volcanic eruption is
looming.
 Water temperature will
dramatically increase.
 Increase in seismic activity.
Safety tips in case of a volcanic
eruption:
 Listen to authorities when
evacuating
 Avoid river flows or any low
areas
Signs that a tsunami is approaching:
 Earthquakes are usually
followed by tsunamis
 If the ocean is receding rapidly
 Loud roaring sounds
approaching beach
Safety tips in case of a tsunami
 Try to stay at high ground
 Stay as far away from the beach
or any rivers that connect to the
ocean
 Find out the sea level of your
home and roads around it
 Plan many escape routes
towards high ground
Fun Facts
Loihi is 10,000 ft above the
ocean floor to within 3,100 ft
of the water surface.
Loihi: Birth of a New
Paradise or the
Destruction of another?
Hawaiian Volcanoes grow
about 0.1 foot per year.
Loihi’s summit area has
fresh-appearing, coherent
pillow-lave flows and talus
blocks.
4,200 earthquakes, 95 of the
earthquakes had magnitudes
of 4.0 or larger, and three of
the were felt on shore by
residents of Hawaii Kau
District.
For more information call:
1-800- HOT- SPOT