Hawaii is many things to many people. To film buffs, it’s the site of Isla Nublar, the fictional island in Jurassic Park. To surfers, it provides the thrill of riding the best waves in the world. To tourists, it’s a bucket list destination of beaches, nature and rainbows. To astronomers, Hawaii is the perfect spot from which to gaze at the heavens. And to volcanologists, it's all about the fire-breathing mountains. Take it from us and make like Dante on his Peak – after all, where better to learn about the geological phenomenon than at the place forged by the volcanoes themselves.
The Hawaiian archipelago, comprising eight major islands, will dispel the myth that volcanoes are fearsome and temperamental. Unlike angry stratovolcanoes such as Mount Vesuvius, the shield volcanoes of Hawaii spill out lava that's less viscous and tends to flow more gently. Read: much safer and more pleasant to visit. Here are the four you must see.