Mauna Kea

• Location: Island of Hawaii
• Latitude: 19.82 degrees N
• Longitude: 155.47 degrees W
• Elevation: 4,207 (m) 13.803 (f)
• Volcano type: shield
• Composition: basalt
• Threat potential: moderate

It is believed that Mauna Kea started to form at least 1 million years ago. The oldest visible rocks are found close to sea level in gulches of great depth. These gulches are located on the Northeastern side of the volcano. A hot spot broke through the ocean floor and began to allow lava to flow through roughly 800 thousand years ago. Over the next 300 thousand years it slowly built onto itself, and eventually grew into the volcano it now is.

It's last eruption took place 4,500 years ago. There are currently various species of wildlife that inhabit the hills of Mauna Kea. Hawaii's ecologic landscape has changed over time. Each time a change occurs animals have to readapt. Changes are done below and above the ocean surface. They would be in great danger if this volcano erupted again.

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is currently a big controversy in Mauna Kea. Many protests have taken place because of this issue. Native Hawaiians are upset due to the modern industrialization that is occurring on one of their beloved volcanos.

Mauna Kea sits on the Pacific Plate. Hawaii has a chain of islands that are called an archipelago. The volcano was formed when the Pacific Plate was moved on top of a Hawaiian hot spot. The Hawaiian archipelago was formed due to a hot spot that is more than 900 miles deep in Earth's crust.

It is located in the north-central part of the island of Hawaii. This volcano, along with 4 others make up the Hawaiian volcanic islands. Volcanos are the sole reason Hawaii exists. Without the hot spots that broke through the ocean floor no islands would have ever began to form.

There have not been any major geographic events over the past four thousand years to drastically affect the volcano or the surrounding area. Scientists using Mauna Kea's height to their advantage for research purposes has been the biggest threat in recent times. Activists and natives have both vocalized their disgust in the events that have unfolded at the peak of Mauna Kea. These protests have resulted in a $ year hiatus in the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. However just earlier this year despite the protestors, construction was resumed.

• Well known tourist attraction in the winter due to its snow capped mountains. People spend their time snowboarding & skiing.
• Mauna Kea means, "White Mountain"
• Mauna Kea is the world's home of astronomy
• Hawaiian mythology considers Mauna Kea to be the most sacred peak

Mauna Kea takes pride in one special legend. It is home to the goddess Poli'ahu. She is named the snow goddess of Mauna Kea. Back in ancient times the summit was held most high by a group of gods. All were forbidden here except for the highest chiefs & priests. At times Hawaiian royalty would take trips to the top. One of the last visitors was Queen Emma. In 1881 she guided her companions all the way to the summit. She then rejuvenated herself in Lake Waiau.

By creating my story map on Mauna Kea I learned a lot of information I didn't know before about volcanoes. Volcanoes are complex structures, both in how they form and erupt. Researching helped me gain knowledge about tectonic plates & how they work. I learned that Hawaii has a set of islands called archipelagos. Mauna Kea happens to be one of those 5. Although Mauna Kea hasn't erupted for several millenniums it still to this day has a great impact on Hawaii. Also, who knew that you could vacation and ski on the highest peak in the world? It is interesting to learn about how other people in the world have places, goddesses, or monuments that they celebrate.

Cain, Fraser. “Mauna Kea.” Universe Today, 1 June 2009,  https://www.universetoday.com/31803/mauna-kea/ . 

• Clery, Daniel. “Stalled in Hawaii, Giant Telescope Faces Roadblocks at Its Backup Site in the Canary Islands.” Science, 3 Sept. 2019,  https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/09/stalled-hawaii-giant-telescope-faces-roadblocks-its-backup-site-canary-islands .
• Mauna Kea Observatories Support Services. “Maunakea Visitor Information Station.” Culture, Astronomy and Natural History - Maunakea Visitor Information Station, 2019,  http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/culture-astronomy-and-natural-history.html . 
• National Geographic Society. “Mauna Kea.” National Geographic Society, 19 Dec. 2012,  https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/mauna-kea/ . 
• Program, Volcano Hazards. “Volcano Hazards Program HVO Mauna Kea.” USGS, USGS, 2 Jan. 2018,  https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_kea/ . 
• Rubin, Ken. “ Mauna Kea.” Hawaii Center for Volcanology: Mauna Kea, 13 May 2018,  https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/HCV/maunakea.html . 
• The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Mauna Kea.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 13 Aug. 2013,  https://www.britannica.com/place/Mauna-Kea .