Field trip guide to the Hawaiian Islands [Oahu and Maui]

Author:

Garcia, Michael, Sinton, John M.

Title:

Field trip guide to the Hawaiian Islands [Oahu and Maui]

Year:

1979

Pages:

iii, 117 p.

Subject:

Geology Oahu guidebooks Geology Maui guidebooks Hawaii guidebooks

Summary:

Oahu was the "gathering place" for Hawaiian Island kings and chiefs. It is located in the northern portion of the Hawaiian Island chain, the fifth island northwest of the island of Hawaii. Oahu is the third largest island in the chain, that is 64 km long and up to 38 km wide, and consists of two main shield volcanoes -- the Waianae Range on the west and the Koolau Range on the east. The Waianae Range is 1,280 m high and 35 km long and the Koolau Range is 992 m high and 59 km long. A road log of this island was prepared for the International Association of Volcanology Hawaii Symposium. It concentrates on volcanic rocks and features of Oahu. The log consists of two, one-day segments both starting at the University of Hawaii. The first segment examines the southeast portion of Oahu, describing the flanks and caldera of the Koolau Volcano and some of the vents and flows of the Honolulu post-erosional volcanic series. The Second leg examines the western part of Oahu, the Waianae Volcano. The road log describes a trip through Kolekole Pass, which is on a military base. Permission from the U. S. Navy must be obtained prior to making the trip. Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and covers about 730 square miles. Named after a Polynesian demigod, it is now commonly known as "The Valley Isle" in reference to its many deeply-incised canyons, most notably those of the West Maui Mountains. It is part of a large volcanic massif that includes the islands of Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. At times this massif was emergent as a single island with an area of about 2000 square miles and consists of two separate volcanoes. The West Maui volcano is probably the older of the two, but both may have been concurrently active over part of their histories. East Maui, (Haleakala), was last active about 1790, whereas activity on West Maui is wholly pre-historic. Both volcanoes share, with other Hawaiian volcanoes, a common evolution through three principal petrological stages. Basaltic, mostly tholeiitic shield-building eruptions dominate the history, followed by a discontinuous covering of differentiated alkalic lavas. Following a profound period of quiescence, each volcano then had a brief history of post-erosional volcanism. In other respects, however, the two volcanoes are distinct and hence are treated separately. A road log of this island constitutes a two-day geological field trip. One day is devoted to roadside stops viewing accessible features of three principal volcanic series of West Maui. The second day is devoted to a hiking trip through Haleakala Crater on East Maui. Other stops of geological interest, particularly along the road from Kahului to Kaupo via Kaenae and Hana (East Maui), are accessible by private automobile.

URL:

http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/Library/Field_Guide_TOC.html

Collection:

Monographs