Where is mauna kea volcano

By comparison, the elevation of Mount Everest is 29, feet 8, meters above sea level , making it the highest mountain on earth. Mauna Kea is over 1 million years old. Even though the last eruption is estimated to have occurred something like years ago, it is not considered extinct. It is a dormant volcano, meaning there is still a possibility that it will one day awaken and erupt again. Recent earthquakes beneath Mauna Kea Volcano might signal an impending eruption, although earthquakes are not always indicative of that.

Scientists do believe that another eruption will occur at some point in the future. Like all Hawaii Island volcanoes , Mauna Kea is a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are generally large and wide with broad, gently sloping sides. The summit of Mauna Kea Volcano shown in the image below is a perfect example of a shield volcano.

The shape is due to the fluid lava that flows gently and smoothly across long distances during an eruption, accumulating in broad sheets and layers as it cools. Because shield volcanoes are most prominent in the Hawaiian chain, this type of eruption is also known as a Hawaiian eruption.

Wakea is the sky father, so Mauna a Wakea is the mountain that belongs to the sky. It is usually interpreted to mean White Mountain because of the snow that is often visible at the Mauna Kea summit. Mauna Kea is sacred in Hawaiian culture. If you are planning a trip to the top, prepare for cold.

Even when there isn't snow on the mountain the temperature can be 40 or more degrees cooler than at the beach. Know before you go.

The road to the top is closed often due to snow and high winds. MGEO majors only. Fall info: gito hawaii. Send comments or questions about this page to krubin soest.

Last updated May 13th, Eruptive History Mauna Kea is considered to be a dormant shield volcano in what is commonly known as the "post-shield" stage. Alkalic cinder cones at Mauna Kea's summit Interesting Facts Mauna Kea is well-known to locals as, believe it or not, a great place for skiing and snowboarding.

Many people travel to the mountain every winter because it often has snow at its summit and because there is a road leading up to it. In fact, it is because of its sometimes snowy summit that the Hawaiians named it Mauna Kea or "White Mountain". But be careful if you plan to visit.

The air is thin up there and extremely gusty winds upwards of mph can sometimes blow at the Mauna Kea summit. You can check the weather at the summit from the MK weather center Mauna Kea's summit is 9 kilometers above the adjacent ocean floor, making Mauna Kea the tallest mountain in the world.

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