Nature
West Molokai Volcano is an extinct shield volcano forming the western half of Molokai in Hawaii and the older of the island’s two volcanic masses. Built during the Pleistocene, its main shield of tholeiitic lava was complete by about 1.89 million years ago, followed by a later postshield phase of alkalic volcanism around 1.76 million years ago. Unlike East Molokai Volcano, it shows no later rejuvenated eruptive phase. Its overlap with East Molokai, probable flank collapse, and the later filling of the gap by eastern lava flows helped create the Molokai Saddle and shaped the island’s present form.
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Maunaloa, Hawaii · United States
