Hi, I'm Daniela!

I'm a geologist and I happen to ADORE Hawai'i. What a great combination, since Hawai'i is a geologist's paradise. Let me introduce you to these islands in a structured, curated video course that is heavily focussed on the geological story of the Hawaiian Islands.

Take your volcano adventure to the next level by taking this class upfront

Course curriculum

Questions answered in this course:

This is a non-exhaustive list of the questions answered in this course:

Introduction / Geography (module 0)

  • Where are the Hawaiian Islands located?
  • How large is the Hawaiian Island chain?
  • What are the names, nicknames, shapes and areas of each of the 8 main islands?


The Geological Story of the Hawaiian Islands (module 1)

  • How were the Hawaiian Islands created?
  • What is a volcanic hot spot?
  • What is a mantle plume?
  • What is the Hawaiian moat?
  • What is an atoll?
  • How will the Hawaiian Islands develop in the future? 
  • What is lithosphere and asthenosphere?
  • What types of lava exist in Hawai'i?
  • What is basalt? 
  • How old is the Hawaiian Island chain and each of the main islands?
  • What are shield volcanoes? How are they characterized?
  • How was each of the 6 main Hawaiian Islands formed?
  • Why are there black sand / cream-colored / white / red / green sand beaches?
  • What natural force is predominantly shaping Hawai'i?
  • How many volcanoes formed the Big Island?
  • How large and high are Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea and the other Big Island volcanoes?
  • What are rift zones and fissures?
  • What are sulphur banks and steam vents?
  • What volcanoes are active / inactive?
  • What are lava tubes?
  • How did the Waipi'o Valley and Pololū  Valley form?
  • How did the Nā Pali Coast form?
  • What are the geologic stages of Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, Lāna'i and Moloka'i?
  • Why is the allegedly wettest spot on Earth on Kaua'i?
  • How did the Waimea Canyon form?
  • How did the ‘Īao Valley and ‘Īao Needle form?
  • How did the Ko'olau Mountains and Wai'anae Mountains form?
  • How did Koko Crater, Hanauma Bay, Koko Head and Diamond Head form?
  • How did the Pu'u Pehe form?
  • How did the Moloka'i cliffs form?
  • How did Kalaupapa form?
  • Why are coral reefs important, where do they thrive and why are they endangered?
  • How did the Mo'omomi Dunes form?


After this course you'll be able to:

Introductory Module

  • You'll be able to name and recognize each of the 8 main Hawaiian islands on a map.

  • You'll be able to locate the Hawaiian Islands on a map and grasp how large the Hawaiian Archipelago actually is.

  • and more

Module 1: Geology

  • You'll be able to reconstruct the formation of the Hawaiian Emperor Volcanic Chain and their hot spot origin

  • You'll be able to reconstruct the geological building processes of each of the six major islands: Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, Lāna'i, Molokai and Big Island (all islands separately)

  • You'll be able to identify basalt lava in real life

  • You'll be able to distinguish the two main types of basalt lava in Hawai'i

  • Discover all volcanoes that formed each of the islands

  • You'll be able to recognize the major landscape features of each island (Ko'olau and Wai'anae Mountain Range, all volcanic regions, Kalaupapa, windward & leeward sides, and others)

  • You'll be able to describe the processes that caused the formation of the most spectacular landscapes, such as Haleakalā, Kīlauea, Green Sands Beach and other beaches, Diamond Head, the sea cliffs of Moloka'i, the Mo'Omomi Dunes, and many others

  • You'll be able to predict the geological future development of the Hawaiian Islands

  • and more

How to Enroll

Complete Transparency

  • After clicking the 'Buy now' button, you'll first be asked to create an account at EarthyUniversity. This is a requirement, as the course content will be delivered to you on this platform.

  • Subsequently, you'll be asked to enter your payment details. Shortly after, you will have access to your EarthyU student account.

  • You're all set! You have instant access to all course contents and can start watching right away!

At a glance

  • Quick Facts

    2 modules | 9 videos | 2.2 hours of footage | 15 minutes average video duration (some videos are longer, other shorter than this)

  • What's Included

    All modules and lessons for online watching | 1 year access | Resources Vault | Audio files for download | Transcripts for download | Money-Back-Guarantee

  • Audios & Transcripts

    Each video lesson can be downloaded as audio-only file as well as text transcripts.

Your enrollment helps HILT

Kuleana. Responsibility.

EarthyU believes in giving back to each destination we visit as tourists. That's why EarthyU annually donates a generous portion of the profits to the destinations of each course available at EarthyU. For Hawai'i, the donations go to HILT. HILT (Hawai‘i Land Trust) works to protect and conserve the Hawaiian Islands and their land in a holistic approach.

Is this course suitable for you?

  • This course is for you if you

    care about the environment | want to give back to the Hawaiian residents | want to be a more responsible, conscious traveler | like to get to know your travel destination in a little more detail | travel to make new experiences | want to expand your horizons | like to learn new things | love beautiful landscapes and wish to understand how they formed |want to feel free | long for closeness to nature | seek a very authentic travel experience | are interested in and curious about geography, island formation and nature or if you are keen to learn about those topics

  • This course is not for you if you

    don't care about the environment | don't want to be a responsible tourist | don't want to travel more consciously | are not interested and curious about Hawaiian building processes and nature | only want to take photos without the slightest interest in your subject | merely want to be a tourist | only want to hang out at the beach, go shopping or party | simply want to relax | don't even have a faint interest in the topics covered in this class and if you also aren't open to learning about them

Money-Back-Guarantee

This is my 'no risk promise' to you.

I want you to make a conscious, active decision when you purchase. If you did and still find this course is not your cup of tea, you can have your money back. I offer you a 14-day refund period for your purchase, in case you're truly dissatisfied with this class. I will refund 100% of the price if you contact me within 14 days after your purchase. (This is a voluntary guarantee from my side. I trust you not to misuse it. Per German law I don't have to offer a refund policy for digital products at all.)
Kauai Wailua Falls

Meet your instructor

Daniela wants you to have a meaningful, grounding and memorable travel experience where you connect with your travel destination and its nature deeply. She is convinced that by learning about your travel destination you will achieve this. In her classes she explains fundamental geological processes that shape landscapes and combines these insights with philosophical and philanthropical views. She holds two bachelor's degrees in geosciences (B.Sc.) and business administration/tourism (B.A.). She is the owner and founder of EarthyMe, EarthyUniversity and the Science of Travel blog and podcast.

Daniela Dägele

B.Sc. Geosciences

FAQ

  • I'm scared this is too difficult for me to understand...

    Don't be! No prior geological knowledge is required. No background in sciences is needed to watch and understand this course. The only requirement you have to bring to the table is true interest and curiosity for Earth, nature, the environment and life.

  • Sounds amazing. I really wish I had time for this...

    I understand that you are very busy. That is the exact reason why you should purchase this class. It SAVES you time. It is possible to finish the online class within one day. Plus, the course adapts to YOUR schedule, not vice versa.

  • Wow, that sounds like a lot of information. I'm scared of being overwhelmed (and I'm already overwhelmed from planning!)

    The class is not intended to cause you even more stress and pressure. The opposite is true: Your preparation for Hawai'i is supposed to get easier and lighter. Instead of reading 4587 websites and travel guides and clicking through the internet in search of valuable information about Hawai'i, this online platform is your place of refuge, so to speak. All the essential knowledge is safely stored in one place.

  • Do I really need this online class? There is tons of information on the internet and in thousands of travel guides.

    I couldn't agree more! The internet is packed with information. But information doesn't equal knowledge. Only when you use the information, you can turn it into knowledge. If you have the time and will to educate yourself by using other media, that is fantastic! However, you can't search for something on the internet you don't know exists. But if you'd love to have all the information handed to you in a compact format, this class is perfect for you. And please be aware: This class is not a digitized travel guide.

  • I read a Hawai'i Travel Guide. Do I need this class?

    This class and your travel guide go together like peanutbutter and jelly! This class is by no means a travel guide. This class is NOT about activities you can do in Hawai'i, restaurants you may visit, accommodation, rental cars or travel routes. Although I do share some tips regarding this in the bonus "Your Guide to Hawai'i Paradise". Travel guides are about YOUR Hawai'i stay. But this class is about the ISLANDS. You will learn about their geographical location, their geological features and their wildlife and flora.

  • Is this class downloadable?

    Yes and no. The video lessons are not downloadable. However, the according audio files and transcripts as well as all bonuses are downloadable.

  • I won't travel to Hawai'i until after a few months. Can I already book the course? I'm afraid I'm going to forget everything.

    Of course you can! You have access to the class for one whole year. You can start whenever you're ready.

  • I only visit 1 or 2 islands. Will the course still be useful?

    Absolutely, yes! The class contains plenty of information applicable to each island and provides you with a holistic view of Hawai'i.

  • Is there a free preview / trial?

    Yes! Just click the free trial button and you'll be asked to create an account for EarthyUniversity, but won't have to enter payment details. You'll have access to the first 3 videos (Introduction, Geography, Intro to Geology).

HEADS UP: YOUR OPTIONS

This course is part 1 of the complete course

Hawaiian Islands: Island & Landscape Formation and Nature



YOUR OPTIONS

  • Options 1+2 = best value for money and best service: purchase the complete course or the bundle
  • Options 3+4 = most flexible: purchase part 1 or part 2 separately



Option 1 — Hawaiian Islands (complete course, parts 1+2): Island & Landscape Formation & Nature

Contains Part 1 + Part 2 + exclusive MAHALO module + 4 bonuses for download + Hawai'i community + chance to ask questions (access to me). Price: 79 € / 89 $. Save 20 % when purchasing the complete course.

Option 2 — Complete Hawai'i Experience (complete course, parts 1+2, free course)

Contains Part 1 + Part 2 + exclusive MAHALO module + 4 bonuses for download + Hawai'i community + chance to ask questions (access to me) + free MĀLAMA course. Price: 79 € / 89 $. Save 20 % when purchasing the bundle.

Option 3 — Hawaiian Islands (part 1): Geology + Volcanoes

You're currently viewing this course.

Contains all modules about the geology (incl. volcanoes) of the Hawaiian Islands. Without bonuses, without community, without the chance to ask questions. Price: 59 € / 67 $

Option 4 — Hawaiian Islands (part 2): Climate, Plants + Wildlife

Contains all modules about the climate, wildlife and plants of the Hawaiian Islands. Without bonuses, without community, without the chance to ask questions. Price: 39 € / 47 $

OR BUNDLE UP AND SAVE

Become Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself.

Knowledge empowers.

EarthyUniversity students believe that our happiness and meaning of life as humans lies in connection. Connection to ourselves, to nature, to other humans, to communities. We believe that travelling gives us the space and freedom to get to know ourselves better, to deepen our relationship with others and with nature, to learn to tolerate, even embrace, differences, and to explore and appreciate our world truly. To see the bigger picture and to understand that everything is connected. Connection gained through knowledge empowers us to make better decisions for ourselves and others.
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