Haleakalā facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Haleakalā
East Maui Volcano
Haleakalā crater
Highest point
Elevation	10,023 ft (3,055 m)
Prominence	10,023 ft (3,055 m)
Isolation	123 kilometers (76 mi)
Listing	Highest ocean islands 18th World most prominent peak 85th US most prominent peaks 10th
Geography
Haleakalā Location in Hawaii
Location	Maui, Hawaii, U.S.
Parent range	Hawaiian Islands
Topo map	USGS Kilohana (HI)
Geology
Age of rock	<1.0 Ma, Pleistocene epoch
Mountain type	Shield volcano
Volcanic arc/belt	Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain
Last eruption	between 1480 and 1600
Climbing
Easiest route	paved highway

Sunrise at Haleakalā

Haleakalā (Hawaiian for "house of the sun") is a huge shield volcano that makes up more than 75% of the Hawaiian island of Maui. The remaining 25% of the island is formed by another volcano called Mauna Kahalawai, also known as the West Maui Mountains.

The highest point of Haleakalā is Puʻu ʻUlaʻula, or Red Hill. It stands at about 10,023 feet (3,055 meters) tall. From the top, you can look down into a giant bowl-shaped area. This area is about 7 miles (11.25 km) wide and nearly 2,600 feet (800 meters) deep. Its walls are very steep, and the inside looks mostly empty, with a few small volcanic cones scattered around.

The Story of Haleakalā: Hawaiian Legends

Early Hawaiians called the whole mountain Haleakalā, meaning "house of the sun." There's also a specific peak on the mountain with this name. In Hawaiian folklore, the large bowl-shaped area at the top of Haleakalā was believed to be the home of the grandmother of the demigod Māui.

According to the legend, Māui's grandmother helped him catch the sun. She then made the sun slow down its journey across the sky. This made the days longer, which was helpful for people.

Understanding Haleakalā's Geology

Haleakalā is a volcano, but it's currently in a "normal" state. This means it's not erupting, but it's still being watched. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) keeps an eye on it.

Haleakalā has erupted many times over the last 30,000 years. Some of these eruptions happened in the last 500 years. These eruptions have mainly occurred along two long cracks in the earth, called rift zones. These zones stretch from La Perouse Bay in the southwest, through the main crater, and all the way to Hāna in the east. The eastern rift zone continues under the ocean. This makes it one of the longest rift zones in the Hawaiian Islands.

When Did Haleakalā Last Erupt?

For a long time, people thought Haleakalā last erupted around 1790. This idea came from comparing old maps made by explorers like La Perouse and George Vancouver. However, newer and more advanced tests have shown that the last eruption probably happened earlier, in the 1600s.

These most recent lava flows came from the southwest rift zone. They created the large lava fields you can see today in the Ahihi Kina`u/La Perouse Bay area of South Maui.

The Truth About Haleakalā's Crater

Many people think the large bowl at the summit of Haleakalā is a volcanic crater. However, it's not a true crater, nor is it a caldera. A caldera forms when the top of a volcano collapses after a large eruption.

Scientists believe Haleakalā's "crater" formed in a different way. It was created when two large valleys, carved by erosion, joined together at the volcano's summit. These valleys formed the two big gaps on either side of the depression: Koʻolau on the north and Kaupō on the south.

As experts Macdonald, Abbott, and Peterson explained: "Haleakalā is much smaller than many volcanic craters... it is not extinct, but only dormant; and strictly speaking it is not of volcanic origin, beyond the fact that it exists in a volcanic mountain." This means it's a volcano, but its big depression wasn't made by a volcanic collapse.

Haleakalā as seen from Big Island, Hawaii, about 53 miles (85 km) away

Understanding Volcanic Hazards

On the island of Hawaiʻi, the danger from lava flows is rated on a scale from one to nine. Zone 1 is the most dangerous, and Zone 9 is the safest. For example, the active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa are in Hazard Zone 1.

In 1983, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) made early estimates for Maui. They rated the summit and southwest rift zone of Haleakalā as Hazard Zone 3. This means there's a moderate risk of lava flows in these areas. Other parts of Haleakalā are rated much safer, similar to Hazard Zones 7 through 9.

These hazard ratings for Haleakalā are based on how often it erupts. Haleakalā has erupted three times in the last 900 years. To compare, Mauna Loa and Kilauea have erupted more than a dozen times each in just the last 90 years. Another volcano, Hualalai, erupts at a similar rate to Haleakalā and is rated as Hazard Zone 4.

However, how often a volcano erupts is only one part of the hazard rating. Another important factor is how much land is covered by lava flows. In the last 900 years, Haleakalā's lava flows have covered only about 8.7 square miles (22.5 square kilometers). In contrast, Hualalai has covered about 43 square miles (111 square kilometers) in the same period. Kilauea and Mauna Loa have covered even more land with recent lava flows. So, while Haleakalā does erupt, its lava flows cover much less area compared to other Hawaiian volcanoes.

Modern Uses of Haleakalā

Haleakalā National Park

This rare Silversword plant lives only on the slopes of Haleakalā.

The area around and including the crater is part of Haleakalā National Park. This park covers about 30,183 acres (122 square kilometers). A large part of it, about 24,719 acres (100 square kilometers), is protected wilderness.

The park includes the summit depression, Kipahulu Valley, and ʻOheʻo Gulch, which has famous pools that reach the shoreline. From the summit, there are two main trails that lead into the crater: Sliding Sands Trail and Halemauʻu Trail.

The temperature near the summit usually stays between 40°F (5°C) and 60°F (16°C). The air is thin at this high elevation, and you can get dehydrated easily. Because of this, hiking trails can be tougher than you might expect. The trails go downhill into the crater from the parking areas. This means hikers face a difficult climb back up, sometimes more than 2,000 feet (600 meters).

Despite these challenges, Haleakalā is very popular with both tourists and locals. Many people go to the summit, or to the visitor center just below it, to watch the sunrise. There are a few simple cabins for lodging in the park, but you won't find food or gas there.

Astrophysical Research at the Summit

The Space Surveillance Systems

The summit of Haleakalā is one of the best places in the world for telescopes on the ground. This is because the air is incredibly clear, dry, and still. It's also very high up, and there are no bright city lights nearby.

Because of these perfect conditions, experts from all over the world come to "Science City." This is a complex of telescopes and research facilities. It's run by many groups, including the United States Department of Defense, the University of Hawaii, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Some of the telescopes here are used by the U.S. Department of Defense to study human-made objects in space. This includes spacecraft, satellites, rockets, and laser technology. This research is done with defense companies in Kihei, Maui.

Astronomers on Haleakalā are concerned about increasing light pollution as Maui's population grows. However, new telescopes are still being added, like the Pan-STARRS telescope in 2006.

Getting to Haleakalā: Transportation

Map of Haleakalā

Public road to Mount Haleakalā, Maui, Hawaii

The Haleakalā Highway, finished in 1935, is a well-used road that leads to the peak. It has many sharp turns called switchbacks. The road is open to the public, though some parts are restricted. It's a well-kept two-lane highway, but it has many blind turns and very steep drop-offs. You might even see local animals, like cattle, on the road.

The National Park Service charges a vehicle entrance fee of $30 (US). Public transportation doesn't go through the park. However, there are four tour companies that offer trips to the summit and tours of the park.

You can also enjoy sunset and stargazing tours within Haleakalā National Park. These tours let you arrive for sunset and then look through a telescope after dark. Cycling and horseback riding are other popular ways to explore the park.

Some tour guides on Maui pick up people from their hotels and provide bicycles. Riders can then glide down the road from just outside the National Park boundary, starting at 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) altitude. Tour operators used to offer bike rides all the way down from the summit. However, in 2007, the National Park Service stopped all commercial bicycle activity inside the park after several accidents. Now, some tour operators offer a modified ride that starts outside the park.

Haleakalā's Climate

The summit of Haleakalā has a special type of climate called a cold-summer Mediterranean climate. This is rare for many places in the world. The Haleakalā Ranger station, which is at a lower elevation, has a subtropical highland climate.

See also

In Spanish: Haleakala para niños