Kaena Ridge
| Kaʻena Ridge | |
|---|---|
  Kaʻena Ridge Location of Kaʻena Volcano in the Hawaiian Islands | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | −3,937 ft (−1,200 m) |
| Coordinates | 21°49′19″N 158°46′19″W / 21.82194°N 158.77194°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Hawaii US |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Submerged shield volcano |
| Last eruption | 1956? |
Kaʻena Ridge, also referred to as the Kaʻena Volcano, is a submerged remnant of an ancient shield volcano that is to the north of and once comprised the northern section of the Hawaiian Island of Oʻahu.
Geology
Kaʻena Ridge was the oldest of the three volcanoes to form Oʻahu and it was also the shortest when it grew out of sea level. It was about 3,000 ft.[1]
Activity from Kaʻena began roughly 5 million years ago.[2][3] Despite being Oʻahu's oldest volcano, it broke sea level 400,000 years after the Waiʻanae did.[2] This is due to Kaʻena being built on a lower sea depth, whereas other Oʻahu volcanoes were built on pre-existing ridges.[3]
Around 3 million years ago, Kaʻena, Waiʻanae and Koʻolau simultaneously emerged. Kaʻena would later submerge below sea level at an unknown date.[2]
In its current state, the crest of the Kaʻena Ridge extends 35–55 km wide and is located 75–100 km northwest of Kaʻena Point, the westernmost tip of Oʻahu.[4]
History
On May 22, 1956, a military plane flying to Oʻahu reported brown pumice floating on the water and a smell of sulfur. One of the pilots reported it looked similar to volcanic eruption he had witnessed in the Philippines in 1952.[5] Subsequent flights were flown out, and pilots reported yellow-colored water around Kaʻena Ridge. Within days, brown pumice began washing up on the shores of Oʻahu, and dead whales were reported around the area. A 1991 study found that lava had recently erupted in the area but couldn't determine the exact date, but it did state that an eruption in the 1900s could have occurred, or the volcanism may have occurred in the past 1,000 years.[6]
See also
References
- ^
Borg, Jim (2014-05-10). "Lost peak: UH researchers uncover evidence of Kaena Volcano, part of a trio that formed Oahu". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Honolulu, HI: Oahu Publications Inc. (Black Press). pp. A1, A7. OCLC 50065755. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
- ^ a b c McManus, Malia Mattoch (2014-05-20). "Ancient underwater volcano discovered in Hawaii". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ a b Sinton, J. M.; Eason, D. E. (2014-12-01). "Growth History of Kaena Volcano, the Isolated, Dominantly Submarine, Precursor Volcano to Oahu, Hawaii". AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. 11: V11B–4696.
- ^ Smith, J. R. (2002-12-01). "The Kaena Ridge Submarine Rift Zone off Oahu, Hawaii". AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts. 62: T62A–1300.
- ^ Seach, John. "Unnamed Submarine Volcano". Volcano Live. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
- ^ T, Jan (2014-05-11). "Raising Islands--Hawai'i science and environment: New clarity on mysterious 1956 eruption in Kauai channel". Raising Islands--Hawai'i science and environment. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
