A series of lava flows spill into the ocean, Big Island, Hawaii, United States (© Ken McCurdy/Getty Images)

Most landscapes change over thousands of years. Volcanoes can reshape them in a matter of hours, and on Hawaii's Big Island, they continue to do just that. Recognising the scientific and natural importance of this ever-changing environment, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established on 1 August, 1916. For more than a century, it has protected over 142,000 hectares of volcanic terrain, native forests and rare wildlife.