Question 1

True or false: Mauna Loa is a stratovolcano, similar to Mount St. Helens.

Accepted Answer

False. Mauna Loa is a shield volcano with gentle slopes and fluid lava, unlike steep, explosive stratovolcanoes like Mount St. Helens.

Question 2

True or false: Mauna Loa's name means 'Long Mountain' in the Hawaiian language.

Accepted Answer

True. The Hawaiian name 'Mauna Loa' translates directly to 'Long Mountain,' referring to its elongated shape.

Question 3

True or false: Mauna Loa is located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

Accepted Answer

False. Only a portion of Mauna Loa, including its summit, is within the park. The vast majority of this massive volcano lies outside the park's boundaries.

Question 4

True or false: Mauna Loa's elevation above sea level is higher than that of Mauna Kea.

Accepted Answer

False. Mauna Kea's summit is 13,803 feet above sea level, while Mauna Loa is about 13,679 feet. Mauna Kea is higher.

Question 5

True or false: Mauna Loa is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from sea level.

Accepted Answer

False. Mount Everest is the tallest above sea level at 29,032 feet. Mauna Loa's summit is about 13,679 feet.

Question 6

True or false: Mauna Loa is the only active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Accepted Answer

False. The Big Island has several active volcanoes, including Kilauea and Hualālai. Mauna Loa is not the only active one.

Question 7

True or false: Mauna Loa last erupted in 2022, ending a 38-year period of quiet.

Accepted Answer

True. Mauna Loa erupted on November 27, 2022, for the first time since 1984, after 38 years of inactivity.

Question 8

True or false: Mauna Loa's summit caldera is called Mokuaweoweo.

Accepted Answer

True. The summit caldera of Mauna Loa is known as Mokuaweoweo, a Hawaiian name for this distinct feature.

Mauna Loa Trivia Questions