East Molokai Volcano

East Molokaʻi Volcano is an extinct shield volcano forming the eastern two-thirds of Molokaʻi and was one of the seven principal volcanoes of the prehistoric island of Maui Nui. Its main shield-building phase lasted from about two million to 1.5 million years ago, followed by postshield eruptions, with the Kalaupapa Peninsula representing its last volcanic phase. The volcano’s highest point is Kamakou, but its most dramatic feature is the north side’s immense sea cliffs. These cliffs were created about 1.4 million years ago when the volcano’s northern third collapsed into the sea, sending a huge landslide offshore and generating a megatsunami that struck Molokaʻi, other Hawaiian islands, and distant coasts.

Ualapue, Hawaii · United States