UH Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship - Research Library

Impermeable beds trap rain and snow at Mauna Kea's Lake Waiau

Author:
U.S. Geological Survey,, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,
Title:
Impermeable beds trap rain and snow at Mauna Kea's Lake Waiau
Year:
2003
Subject:
Lake Waiau
Summary:
Lake Waiau, at an altitude of 3,969 m (13,020 ft.) atop Mauna Kea, is the only alpine lake in the Hawaiian island chain. It is thought to have formed at the end of the last glacial retreat, which in Hawaii was almost complete by 15,000 years ago. Since that time, sedimentary layers of silt, clay, and ash have accumulated in the tiny, shallow lake-0.73 ha (1.8 acres) in surface area and about 3 m (10 ft.) deep. A radiocarbon age obtained 20 years ago from a sample of organic matter at the base of a 5.6 m-thick (18.4-ft-thick) drill core indicates that the lake basin must have been free of an extensive ice blanket by 12,600 years ago. Lakes are sparse features among the volcanic slopes of the Hawaiian island chain. The few basins that could contain water are commonly underlain by permeable lava flows or cinder and ash that favor the rapid seepage of water. The article discusses how Lake Waiau may have defied the odds.
URL:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/2003/03_06_19.html
Collection:
Monographs