How big are the Hawaiian volcanoes?
The Hawaiian shield volcanoes are the largest mountains on Earth. Mauna Kea Volcano rises 13,796 feet above sea level but extends about 19,700 feet below sea level to meet the deep ocean floor, its total height is nearly 33,500 feet, considerably higher than the height of the tallest mountain on land, Mount Everest (Chomolungma) in the Himalayas (29,028 feet above sea level). Mauna Loa stands not quite as high as Mauna Kea but is much larger in volume. — From: Tilling, et.al., 1987, Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present, and Future: USGS General Interest Publication. • What is “composite” or “strato” volcano? Some of the Earth’s grandest mountains are composite volcanoes — sometimes called stratovolcanoes. They are typically steep-sided, symmetrical cones of large dimension built of alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, cinders, blocks, and bombs and may rise as much as 8,000 feet above their bases. Some of the most conspicuous and beautiful mountains in the world
