Mauna Kea

Monday, April 8, 2013

Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Standing 13,803 ft (4,207 m) above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the U.S. state of Hawaii. However, much of Mauna Kea is below sea level; when measured from its oceanic base, its height is 33,500 ft (10,200 m)— more than twice Mount Everest's base-to-peak height of 3,650 to 4,650 metres (11,980 to 15,260 ft).
Mauna Kea is one of five hotspot volcanoes that form the island of Hawaii, the largest and youngest island of the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain. Of these five volcanoes, Mauna Kea is the fourth oldest and fourth most active. Mauna Kea is the only Hawaiian volcano with distinct evidence of glaciation. Similar deposits probably existed on Mauna Loa, but have been covered by later lava flows.