Kohala (mountain)

Kohala from Mauna Kea from

The Kohala is an extinct volcano that forms the north of Hawaii and after the eponymous administrative district of Kohala is named. In the eastern flank deep valleys are cut, including that of Waipio in the south and in the north Polulu. On the west side are in autumn and winter often humpback whales observed.

Location

The Kohala Mountains form the north-western part of the island, which reaches its northernmost point on Upolu Point. While in the West and particularly in the northern steep slopes characterize the Kohala Mountains, they go in the southeast near Waimea in a wide saddle in the massif of Mauna Kea on.

The oval massif has a length of about 15 miles (24 km ), the most striking elevations - from northwest to southeast - Pu'u Ula (290 m/951 ft), Pu'u O Nale (542 m/1.777 ft), Pu'u Hue ( 724 m/2.375 ft), Lahikiola ( 1,031 m/3.383 ft), Pu'u Pili ( 1435 m/4.708 ft), Kaunu o Kaleiho'ohie ( 1670 m/5.480 ft), Pu'u Pohoulaula ( 1401 m/4.596 ft) and Ka'ala ( 1215 m/3.985 ft).

Earth's geological history

The Kohala Mountains are the remains of the oldest volcano on the island. It may be assumed that its origin began around 1 million years ago, about 500,000 years later he reached the water surface. Years ago, about 300,000 began a marked decrease in the activity, the last eruption is expected to be about 120,000 years. The peculiar, elongated shape of the mountain is the result of a landslide that led to the slipping of the entire northern flank 250,000 to 300,000 years ago. In addition, subsequent eruptions of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa parts of the Kohala have formed, so that the original shape of this shield volcano can not be determined.

The already relatively long-lasting erosion has caused on the rainy Northwest coast to the formation of the Kohala Coast typical and especially pronounced valleys, which drop almost vertically. While the Waipio Valley of Kukuihaele out is relatively easy to reach the western valleys of Waimanu Vally, Honopue Valley and Pololu Valley are only accessible through elaborate marches.

Weather vagina

Despite its little height, the Kohala a significant weather divide, whereas more than 3,800 mm of precipitation per year are recorded at the summit, covered in less than 20 km south-west to Kawaihae rate of only around 130 mm of rain. The summit area is covered with dry forest and grassland with cloud forest, the southern flank.