Hawaiian Islands
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Locations | Pacific Ocean |
|---|---|
| Population | 1. 375 million (2011) |
| Mountains | Mauna Loa |
| Haleakalā | |
| Koʻolau Range | |
| Waianae Range | |
| Did you know | The Hawaiian Islands were called the Sandwich Islands by Captain James Cook in 1778. |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 864904 |
About Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaiʻi in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll.
What caused the Hawaii wildfires?
... Scientists also note that some parts of the Hawaiian Islands are covered with non-native grasses that are more flammable than native plants...
Maui fires: Survivors describe harrowing escapes from the flames
... " Ms Kemper, who has spent time in Maui and other Hawaiian Islands, explained that many of the buildings in the old town of Lahaina are made of wood, a legacy from when the town served as a major whaling port...
Mauna Loa eruption: What's happening inside the world's biggest volcano?
... " These plumes of magma formed the whole of the Hawaiian Islands...
Pacific Ocean garbage patch is immense plastic habitat
... The disaster caused tonnes of debris to be ejected into the Pacific ocean, and hundreds of coastal Japanese marine species were found alive on items that landed on the shores of the North American Pacific coast and the Hawaiian Islands...
What caused the Hawaii wildfires?
By Nadine YousifBBC News
Hawaii is no stranger to wildfires, but those of The Past few days are being called some of The worst in The archipelago's history.
Their toll has been devastating, though what sparked The deadly fires is still under investigation.
Hurricane winds and dry weather, however, helped fuel The Flames .
Drought or abnormally dry conditions across large parts of Hawaii - including The entire island of Maui - also played a role.
Around 14% of The State is suffering from severe or moderate drought, according to The US Drought Monitor, while 80% of Hawaii is classed as abnormally dry.
Last month The National Weather Service noted that brush fires had been reported in Maui and briefly closed a highway. Forecasters warned at The Time that " The Risk of fires during this year's Dry Season is elevated".
Scientists also note that some parts of The Hawaiian Islands are covered with non-native grasses that are more flammable than native plants.
This, coupled with dry conditions, can cause a spark to ignite a fire that can spread quickly.
Maui itself was also under a Red Flag Alert - Meaning warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds were expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire Danger - before The fires broke out.
Strong winds from Hurricane Dora , which passed Hawaii 's coast on Tuesday, helped fan The Flames even further.
In a news conference on Thursday, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said that The wildfires are The " largest natural disaster" in The State 's history.
" We have never experienced a wildfire that affected a city like this before, " Mr Green said, adding that The Challenges of Climate Change are putting unprecedented strain on Hawaii .
" We're seeing this for The First Time in many different parts of The World , " He Said .
The Last major fire in Hawaii occurred in 2018, when winds from Hurricane Lane whipped up The Flames around Lahaina - The same town ravaged by The fires This Week .
Five years ago, The Fire destroyed 2,000 acres of land, 31 vehicles and 21 structures - Most of which were homes -
Wildfires were once uncommon in Hawaii , ignited largely through volcanic eruptions or Lightning Strikes . But in recent decades, human activity has made them more common and extreme.
Related TopicsSource of news: bbc.com
