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Mauna Kea 13,796
ft (4,205 m) - Big Island
by
ALOHA
DEAN
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, one of five
volcanic peaks that together form the Island of Hawaii. In Hawaiian, mauna
kea means "white mountain", a reference to the fact that it is regularly
snow or frost capped during the northern hemisphere winter. Its highest
point, Pu'u Wēkiu (one of numerous cinder cones on the summit), is the
highest point in the state of Hawaii at 13,796 ft (4,208m).
Mauna Kea is also the tallest mountain in the world when measured from base to peak, its base being some 16,000 ft (over 5,000 m) under the surface of the Pacific Ocean. After millions of years of building itself up by volcanic activity, the mountain's height is slowly decreasing as it is being crushed under its own massive weight into the Pacific seafloor.
The summit of Mauna Kea is managed by the University of Hawai'i's Institute for Astronomy. Mauna Kea is both a sacred and historical site in the Hawaiian culture and one of the most important land-based astronomy sites in the world. The location is ideal because of its dark skies, good astronomical seeing, low humidity, clean air, good weather and almost equatorial location.
The accommodation for research astronomers are located below the summit
at 9300 feet (2835 meters) above sea level, and a visitor information
station is located at 9200 feet (2775 meters). The summit of Mauna Kea is
so high that scientists and other visitors are advised to stay at the
lower level for 40 minutes to acclimate to atmospheric conditions before
reaching the summit.
Link to Mauna Kea virtual tour in Java
Please visit Full Screen QTVR tours from:
>>> Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
>>> The Endangered Buddhist Temples of Hawai'i
>>> Mauna Kea,13,796 ft (4,205 m) high
>>> Waipi'o Valley
>>> Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo
>>> Wailuku River, Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots
>>> Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo
>>> Akaka and Kahuna Falls (Updates)
>>> Hilo Area(Updates)
>>> Hamakua Coast(Updates)