hbase itself does not limit the number of columns to support cluster, we recommend that the column when clusters generally located between 1-3.
Hbase the API call corresponds to insert the data will be written MenStore, and Menstore a memory structure, each column corresponds to a cluster Menstore.
Menstore data stored in the Flush under certain conditions for operation, each time the flush, is generated for each Menstore HFile a file on disk.
However, Flush operation is Region level, when a Region in MenStrore were Flush operation with other Menstore a region of operation will be carried out Flush. This will lead to more the more clustered columns ultimately persisted to disk files.