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Viewed from the south east, Mauna kea volcano has an impressive number of smaller volcanoes (cinder cones) on its flanks. In this view, we can see the road that goes to the telescopes at the summit. Photo by Scott Rowland.
The summit of Mauna Kea is the world's best place to do astronomy, due to the dry, stable atmosphere and lack of bright lights near the telescopes. This view, taken in September 1995, shows many of the telescopes that at the summit. Photo by Scott Rowland.
Numerous large volcanic cinder cones can be seen at the summit of Mauna Kea volcano. These cones have proven to be ideal sites for the construction of the largest astronomical telescopes in the world, including the famous Keck telescopes. Here we can see some of these telescopes (the white dots) and the roadway that connects them.
During the last glaciation between about 30,000 to 9,100 years ago, glacial debris in the form of moraines were deposited at the summit. Some of this debris now traps water that forms Lake Waiau. The water for Lake Waiau comes from the annual snow fall on the mountain. Photo by Scott Rowland.
There are some very impressive cinder cones near the summit of Mauna Kea, which are an indication that the typical lava-producing stage of this Hawaiian volcano is over. Photo by Scott Rowland.
Another view of the large cinder cones near the summit of Mauna Kea. Photo by Scott Rowland.
Taking off from Hilo Airport and heading towards Oahu, the traveler often gets a fine view of the northern side of Mauna Kea and, in the distance, Mauna Loa. In this photograph, the late afternoon Sun has created shadows that let us see many of the cinder cones on Mauna Kea. Notice the snow at the summit too!
Although it is not as old as Kohala volcano, the northern flanks of Mauna Kea are already being eroded by flowing water. Photo by Scott Rowland.
Copyright by P. Mouginis-Mark