well i think that Hawaii is larger than any other island because of the volcanoes when the lava reaches the earth surface and it cools it forms a kind of igneous rock,i think when it cool it forms more land and then over time So the long answer to your question is that the length of time it would take for a volcanic island to become habitable is the time it would take for the rock to weather and form soil and for plants and animals to colonize the island. Weathering processes (rainfall, temperature changes) and certain plants (lichen) play an important part in soil formation by helping to erode the rock, making it weaker and more likely to break it into smaller pieces. But this is only the first step in soil formation. Lichens and certain bacteria are also important because they increase the fertility of new soils by making nitrogen more available to plants. (Nitrogen is required for plant growth.) Plant seeds would have to be carried to the island somehow (for Hawaii, wind and water probably brought the initial seeds). Because of the harsh conditions (no shade, little nitrogen, coarse soil), the first types of plants to survive would be weeds, which are usually not edible. However, palm trees can also tolerate rocky, sandy soils, and their seeds are carried long distances by water. Palm trees would help provide building materials and food. Plants that produce fruits have flowers and so require pollinators. Although some plants are pollinated by wind, it is likely that a few insects and bird species would be necessary to get a variety of fruits for eating. However, once the insects and birds arrive, they can carry seeds from nearby islands and help increase the diversity of plant life. Where do you think humans living on this island might find protein? all im saying is that land space would be form
