Relating volcano morphometry to the developmental progression of Hawaiian shield volcanoes through slope and hypsometric analyses of SRTM data

We calculated average and median slope values and produced hypsometric curves for the subaerial Hawaiian shield volcanoes using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation models. The SRTM‐derived average and median slope values display similar trends to published results based on other topographic data products, showing an increase in slope relative to volcano age. Shadows in the radar data over high relief regions reduce the slope values calculated for older volcanoes that have undergone significant erosion as compared to nonradar topographic data, suggesting that SRTM data are less sensitive to studies of erosion. Both the 1 and 3 arc sec SRTM data provide comparable results showing that the nearly global 3 arc sec data can be used to conduct the same studies for other volcanoes. Hypsometric analyses show that the Hawaiian shields maintain consistent upward and lateral growth until alkalic capping and subsidence alter the relief‐surface area ratio. Changes in the morphology of the Hawaiian volcanoes are in part related to decreased magma production rates at older shields. The internal dynamics act to decrease the steadiness and duration of magma delivery to the surface causing a decrease in buffered eruptions and lava tube formation, all of which contribute to an increase in slope and relief‐surface area ratios. Terrain analyses combined with mapping can provide insight into the development of remote volcanoes or volcanoes on other planets for which remotely sensed data exist but less is known about their internal and eruptive history.