Hawaii is full of majestic mountain peaks and lush valleys, but there is one summit that stands tall above the rest. Mauna Kea, or Mauna a Wakea in Hawaiian culture, is Hawaii’s tallest peak, but also one of the most fascinating mountains in the Pacific! Check out some of our favorite fun facts about Mauna Kea – which ones did you already know?

1. Mauna Kea measures up at 13,796 feet above sea level, the highest point in the state of Hawaii.
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The peak is so tall, in fact, that visitors are advised to stop at the visitor center for at least half an hour to acclimate to the elevation before continuing on to the summit.
2. Much of the mountain is submerged under the Pacific Ocean, and when measured from its oceanic base, the mountain is more than 33,000 feet tall.
Wolfram Burner/Flickr
That's taller than Mount Everest!
3. At approximately one million years old, Mauna Kea passed the most active shield volcano stage hundreds of thousands of years ago.
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4. The volcano last erupted 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, and is now considered dormant.
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...not extinct, dormant. It can erupt again!
5. Mauna Kea contains various small cinder and pumice cones near its summit but does not boast a visible summit crater.
Bruce Irving/Flickr
It is possible, however, that a former summit crater was filled and buried by later eruption deposits.
6. Due to the high altitude, dry environment, and stable airflow, the summit of Mauna Kea is one of the world’s best sites for astronomical observation.
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Since the access road was built in 1964, 13 telescopes funded by 11 countries have been constructed there.
7. The Mauna Kea Observatories are used for scientific research across the electromagnetic spectrum; it is the largest facility of its kind in the world.
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8. In Hawaiian mythology, the peaks of Hawaii Island are sacred, and Mauna Kea is considered to be the most sacred; an ancient law mandated that only high-ranking ali’i could visit the summit.
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9. The debate about the observatories resting on such a sacred landscape rages on.
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There have been various protest movements by those who believe that development on the mountain is sacrilegious, and a court case was accepted by the Supreme Court of Hawaii over the issue. Caltech's Submillimeter Observatory was slated to be removed in sections over the summer of 2023.
10. The summit lies above the tree line and primarily consists of lava rock and alpine tundra.
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Growth is restricted by extremely cold temperatures, a short growing season, little rainfall, and snow during the winter months.
11. Mauna Kea is one of five shield volcanoes that make up Hawaii Island, the youngest island in the Hawaiian archipelago.
Joe Parks/Flickr
You can see Mauna Loa, another shield volcano, in the distance in this photograph taken from Mauna Kea.

Mauna Kea, while just one of the amazing mountains in Hawaii, is pretty magnificent, is it not? Which of these interesting facts about Mauna Kea did you already know? Which ones surprised you? Tell us your thoughts and share with us any fun facts about Mauna Kea you might know!

Looking for more natural wonders in the Aloha State? Check out the best beaches in Hawaii:

 

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Facts About Mauna Kea

Tori Jane | July 21, 2022

What are some interesting Mauna Kea facts?  

Mauna Kea is a remarkable geological wonder of Hawaii with plenty of intriguing facts and figures behind it (as well as a healthy dose of mythology). Some interesting Mauna Kea facts that we love include the following:

  • The fact it’s the tallest peak in the state, at 13,803 feet of elevation.
  • It’s located on Hawaii, and it’s one of five large volcanoes on the island.
  • It’s the fourth-oldest volcano on the island and does not have a visible crater at its summit.
  • It’s believed to be about one million years old, which sounds old – but in geological terms, it’s actually relatively young!
  • It’s been dormant for about 200,000 years, and we’re not sure when it’ll erupt again – but someday, it will.  

 

What are the most notable natural wonders in Hawaii?  

Some of the most notable natural wonders in Hawaii are:

  • Waipio Valley, which is astonishingly beautiful and sure to invoke a sense of awe even in locals
  • The Seven Sacred Pools, which are all connected by stunning waterfalls and make for some truly amazing relaxation time. There are actually more than seven of them.
  • The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is another must-see, home to more than 400 species of colorful fish and sea life.  Our volcanoes are definitely a natural wonder of Hawaii in and of themselves! Other than those, though, there are plenty more.

 

What are the largest mountains in Hawaii?  

Other than Mauna Kea, there are 12 major peaks in Hawaii:

...and several more. Hawaii isn’t a whole lot more than a series of mountains formed by volcanoes jutting out of the sea, and as a result, it’s home to the largest mountain in the world – the above-mentioned Mauna Kea, which is taller than Mount Everest from its base at the ocean floor to its summit above the water. It’s also the highest peak in the entire Pacific Ocean!

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Mauna Kea, Hawaii 96720, USA