The cross-section of the Hawaiian islands in the NWHI map can also be used to stress this point. Aerial photographs of the NWHI can be used to illustrate the different stages of growth and erosion of an island. These photographs can be downloaded from the website. Teachers should begin by showing photographs of eruptions on the island of Hawai i as an example of an island in the shield-building stage. Systematically working through photographs of the islands from the southwest to the northeast will demonstrate the changes in volcanic activity and island shape and size due to erosion.
Volcanic islands move through eight stages of growth and erosion.
By contrast Kure and Midway atolls are in the final stages of the life cycle of an island. The formation of ringing reefs combined with gradual sinking and erosion of an island cause it to eventually disappear from the surface of the ocean. The website provides additional background information about the each of the islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Students can use the NWHI website to monitor the progress of the research team s rapid environmental assessment, and to see new photographs of the islands and atolls from Nihoa to Kure. If you don't have Acrobat Reader yet, click here to download it for free or on the icon below.