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Table of Contents
One of the five volcanoes that make up the island of Hawaii is Mauna Kea. The others are Kohala, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea.
See the fact file below for more information on the Mauna Kea Volcano, or you can download our 26-page Mauna Kea Volcano worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY
- At what is referred to as the “post-shield” stage, Mauna Kea is thought to be a dormant shield volcano. Around 0.8 million years ago, submarine eruptions started to raise Mauna Kea from the ocean floor. Volcanic activity in the basaltic shield stage started at least 0.3 million years ago.
- The first known eruptions of the alkalic post-shield occurred between 400 and 5000 years ago when the alkalic activity first started about 60–70 thousand years ago.
- Mostly composed of tholeiitic basalt, Mauna Kea is covered in alkalic lava flows with compositions ranging from hawaiite to benmoreite. On the top of Mauna Kea, glacial terrain from the most recent global ice age, approximately 20,000 years ago, may still be seen.
- The oldest rocks on Mauna Kea can be seen close to sea level in deep gulches on the volcano’s northeast face. These rocks’ chemical composition matches that of the magma that commonly erupts in the post-shield stage.
- They erupted 200,000 to 250,000 years ago, according to age dating, which suggests the rapid-growth shield stage had already finished at that point.
- Mauna Kea is likely at least 1 million years old because eruptions during the shield stage are thought to have lasted for roughly 800,000 years. Around 90% of the total estimated volume of the lava that erupted during the shield stage was constructed.
LOCATION
- Located on the southern flank of the eastern rift zone of Kohala Volcano, Mauna Kea (4,207.3 meters or 13,803 feet) is a shield volcano. While Mauna Kea is somewhat higher than Mauna Loa (4,170 meters or 13,681 feet), it has a volume that is roughly 55% smaller.
- The volcano is currently in the advanced-post-shield stage of Hawaiian volcanism; geologic research on Mauna Kea reveals that eruptions have diminished in frequency and the composition of lava has changed as a result of the volcano’s gradual retreat from the Hawaiian hot spot, the source of magma generation.
- The tallest mountain in the Hawaiian Chain is Mauna Kea. Its summit lies on the Hawaiian island of Hawaii and rises to a height of 4205 meters above sea level. The island of Hawaii is made up of five shield volcanoes, with this one having the second-largest subaerial surface area.
HAZARDS IN MAUNA KEA
- More than 4,500 years ago, the most recent eruption of Mauna Kea produced cinder cones and lava flows. A volcanic system that had advanced past the shield-building stage into the post-shield stage is thought to exhibit this activity.
- Any potentially dangerous volcanic process that puts people’s lives, way of life, or infrastructure in danger will occur if Mauna Kea erupts today.
- The vicinity of the volcano may be subject to a number of dangers, including lava flows, pyroclastic flows, lahars, landslides, and debris avalanches.
- In addition to local risks, volcanic activity can also result in tephra or ash falls, gas releases, and tsunamis. These dangers may affect regions hundreds or thousands of kilometers away from the volcano, with possible negative effects on human health and the local economy.
- But, through a mix of burying, crushing, and heat, it does, in fact, obliterate everything in its path. Aerosols and volcanic gases are also released during such eruptions.
- Landslides and debris avalanches are frequent; however, they are not always brought on by volcanic activity or eruption. These can be set off by a volcanic explosion or dome collapse, especially in regions with frequent torrential downpours. Debris avalanches frequently channel themselves into valleys and can move far from their source places.
- A multitude of quakes underneath Mauna Kea could flag that an emission could happen inside a brief time frame, yet such multitudes don’t necessarily bring about an eruption.
- As a result of their stargazing, the sensitive astronomical telescopes on top of Mauna Kea would detect minute ground tilts, which could indicate an imminent eruption.
SCIENTIFIC PREDICTIONS
- Mauna Kea volcano has the potential to erupt again despite the fact that its last recent eruption was almost 4,500 years ago.
- This report includes early observations made by Western explorers, discussions from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) scientists focusing on the possibility of future eruptions, seismicity between 2000 and 2013, and a recent report by HVO scientists highlighting dramatic changes at Lake Waiau, an alpine lake.
- According to the known geologic record, Mauna Kea is currently regarded as a volcano that is quiescent but has a long history of lapsed activity.
- At least seven different vents experienced eruptions between 6,000 and 4,000 years ago. The data shows that Mauna Kea has seen prolonged periods of inactivity compared to Mauna Loa, which erupted every few years to a few tens of years.
- Also, according to the study, Mauna Kea’s recurrence interval is about 1,000 years based on the occurrence of 12 eruptions throughout a 10,000-year time span.
TOURISM IN MAUNA KEA
- Locals are aware that Mauna Kea is a fantastic location for skiing and snowboarding. The mountain receives a lot of visitors each winter due to the route that leads up to it and the fact that it frequently has snow on its summit.
- In reality, the Hawaiians gave it the name Mauna Kea, or “White Mountain,” because of its occasionally snowy peak. The air is thin up there, though, and the Mauna Kea summit occasionally experiences highly gusty winds that can reach speeds of up to 50 to 70 mph.
- The top of Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain, rises 9 kilometers above the nearby ocean floor. The summit of Mauna Kea is a fantastic location for stargazing and sky viewing due to its high altitude, thin, clean air, and distance from populated regions.
- In fact, the Keck telescope, which has the largest mirror in the world, is located atop this mountain, along with some of the most potent telescopes and astronomical observatories in the entire world.
- Although Hawaii’s isolation has a substantial negative impact on the state’s ecology, Mauna Kea is a special hotspot for a wide variety of indigenous plants and insects.
- Alpine-subalpine, montane, and base forest ecosystems are divided into three independent groupings by topography, each of which has its own distinct discrete ecosystem.
- The Mauna Kea is also abundant with alpine trees. Above the treeline, Mauna Kea’s summit is largely made of lava rock and alpine tundra.
- The Hawaiian tropical high shrublands are a region with frequent snowfall that is unfriendly to vegetation. However, very low temperatures, a brief growing season, little rainfall, and snow throughout the winter months all limit growth in this region.
Mauna Kea Volcano Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Mauna Kea Volcano across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Mauna Kea Volcano. One of the five volcanoes that make up the island of Hawaii is Mauna Kea. The others are Kohala, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Mauna Kea Volcano Facts
- Volcano Appreciation
- Volcanoes of Hawaii
- Mauna Kea Summarized
- Mauna Kea Flora
- Mauna Kea Fauna
- Legend of Mauna Kea
- We Have a Volcano Too!
- Mauna Kea Art
- Mauna Kea Tourism
- Volcano Watch
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mauna Kea located?
Mauna Kea is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, in the United States. It is one of the five volcanoes that form the island and is located in the northern part of the island.
How tall is Mauna Kea?
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in Hawaii and stands at 4,207 meters (13,803 feet) above sea level. However, if measured from its base on the ocean floor, it is over 10,000 meters (33,000 feet) tall, making it the tallest mountain in the world.
Why is Mauna Kea considered sacred?
Mauna Kea is considered sacred by the native Hawaiian people and is known as “Mauna a Wākea,” which means “Mountain of the Sky Father.” It is believed to be the home of several important Hawaiian gods and goddesses, and it plays a significant role in Hawaiian culture and tradition.
What is the controversy surrounding Mauna Kea?
In recent years, there has been controversy surrounding the construction of astronomical observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea. Some native Hawaiians see this as a desecration of the sacred mountain and have protested the construction, leading to a high-profile standoff between protesters and law enforcement in 2019.
What are some of the unique features of Mauna Kea?
Mauna Kea is known for its unique ecosystem, which includes a number of endangered species that are found only on the mountain. It is also home to several telescopes and observatories, which take advantage of its clear skies and high altitude to study the universe. Additionally, Mauna Kea is an important source of water for the island, with snow and rainfall on the mountain feeding the island’s aquifers.
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