Unfortunately, today’s excursion was canceled because of a road closure. The tour company did its best to find another way around to get us there, but they just couldn’t make it happen. So instead of a first-person account of this magnificent volcano, Pam will share what she’s learned, and share pictures other people have taken and posted on the internet.
Mauna Kea is one of five volcanos that form the island of Hawaii, aka The Big Island. It measures over 33,000′ from its base to its tip. Most of the volcano is under water; only 13,802′ can be seen above water (so Pam wonders how they measured it from its base so far under the ocean – pretty impressive stuff!). It is over 7,580 cubic miles in volume, and continues to slip and flatten under its own weight. Scientist estimate it is flattening at a rate of about 1/10″ every year. It is Hawaii’s highest point, and the only Hawaiin volcano with evidence of an ice cap. The volcano is over a million years old and dormant.
Because of its high elevation, dry environment and stable airflow, Mauna Kea’s summit is considered one of the best sights in the world for astronomical observations. At its summit there are 13 telescopes from eleven different countries, and the largest electromagnetic research facility in the world.
As you can see from other people’s pictures it would have been really cool to visit this place, and we are really bummed that we weren’t able to. Maybe next time.
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