Hawaii's two largest shield volcanoes are Mauna Loa (in the background to the S) and Mauna Kea. Mauna Loa has the classic low-angle profile of a shield volcano constructed by repetitive eruptions of thin, overlapping lava flows. Mauna Kea’s profile has been modified by late-stage explosive eruptions that constructed a series of cones at the summit.

Photo by Don Swanson (U.S. Geological Survey).

This image is made available as a Public Domain Work, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Shield Volcanoes

Keywords: shield volcano

Mauna Kea

Mauna Loa