The West Maui Mountains, West Maui Volcano, or Mauna Kahālāwai[2] which means "holding house of water,"[3] is approximately 1.7 million years old[4] and forms a much eroded shield volcano that constitutes the western quarter of Maui. Since its last eruption approximately 320,000 years ago, the West Maui Mountains have undergone substantial stream erosion.[5]

West Maui Volcano
Mauna Kahālāwai
Lihau (center) and Helu (right) peaks
Highest point
Elevation	5,788 ft (1,764 m)[1]
Prominence	5,668 ft (1,728 m)[1]
Coordinates	20°53′37″N 156°35′22″W
Geography
West Maui Volcano Maui, Hawaii, U.S.
Parent range	Hawaiian Islands
Topo map	USGS Kilohana (HI)
Geology
Age of rock	1.32 Mega-annum
Mountain type	Much eroded shield volcano
Volcanic arc/belt	Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain
Last eruption	<320,000 years
Climbing
Easiest route	?

The three moku (districts) of West Maui are Lahaina, Kāʻanapali, and Wailuku.[6] Wailuku is also known as "Pūʻalikomohana" ("west isthmus"), or "Nā Wai ʻEhā" ("the four waters"). The port of Lahaina lies on the southwestern slope.

The summit peak at 5,788 feet (1,764 m) elevation is called "Puʻu Kukui," and its name translates to "candlenut hill".[7]

Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve

Established in 1988, the Puʻu Kukui Preserve is the largest private nature preserve in the State of Hawaii. Since 1994, the 8,661-acre (35.05 km²) preserve has been managed by Maui Land & Pineapple Company in participation with The Nature Conservancy and the State Natural Area Partnership. These groups work together to protect the watershed lands of the West Maui mountain.

Geological history

The West Maui Mountains were formed through at least three series of major volcanic eruptions during its shield building period.[5] Rocks from the latest major shield-building eruptions are called the Honolua volcanic series, which are roughly 500,000 years old. However, there were several rejuvenated stage eruptions more recently, the last dating to roughly 320,000 years ago.[5]

References

External links

• Media related to West Maui Mountains at Wikimedia Commons
• Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve
• "West Maui". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.

На других языках

[fr] Mauna Kahalawai