The Natural History of Hawaiʻi
A journey from volcanic birth to biological wonderland.
80 Million Years Ago
The Hotspot Awakens
5.1 Million Years Ago
Kauaʻi Emerges
400,000 Years Ago
The Big Island Rises
~400 AD
First Human Contact
Today
Conservation Era
The Hotspot Awakens
The Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain begins to form as the Pacific Plate moves over a stationary volcanic hotspot deep beneath the ocean floor.