Site investigation : planned stellar and planetary observatory, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, for the University of Hawaii. 1966

Author:

Dames & Moore,, University of Hawaii,

Title:

Site investigation : planned stellar and planetary observatory, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, for the University of Hawaii. 1966

Periodical:

UH

Year:

1966

Pages:

8 leaves

Subject:

Mauna Kea Observatory Hydrology Astronomical observatories Mauna Kea Site surveys Soils vibration

Summary:

This report presents the results of a site investigation performed for a stellar and planetary observatory to be constructed near the summit of Mauna Kea on the Island of Hawaii. The principal instrument for the observatory would be an 84-inch reflector and coude spectrograph, which will be extremely sensitive to tilting vibrations. The tolerance was estimated to be 0.1 second of arc at frequencies of one to ten cycles per second. Two sites were considered. One would be on a basalt lava flow plateau, elevation about 13,000 feet; the other one on a cinder cone crest, elevation about 13,700 feet. Seismic refraction lines were run at both sites using conventional and shear wave detectors, and displacement vibration measurements were made of background vibration and the blasts of the refraction shots. These studies are of interest because there has been little in-situ soil dynamics information reported, particularly on lavas, and this is among the first vibration studies and refraction surveys at altitudes above 13,000 feet. Observation by the University of Hawaii at Mauna Kea (Furumoto 1964, 13,600) and Dames & Moore near Oruro, Bolivia, (November 1965, 13,000 plus or minus) preceded this present study. The objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of site locations on Mauna Kea with respect to ground vibration. A lava flow location at 13,000 feet was compared with a cinder cone location at 13,700 feet.

Collection:

EIS