That Glacier on Hawaii

Most people don't think about snow or glaciers in Hawai‘i, but geologists have long recognized deposits formed by glaciers on Mauna Kea during recent ice ages. The latest work indicates that deposits were made in three glacial episodes. Signs from 150,000 to 200,000 years ago are preserved on the volcano. Glacial moraines on the volcano formed about 70,000 years ago and from approximately 40,000 to 13,000 years ago. If glacial deposits were formed on Mauna Loa, they have long since been buried by younger lava flows.

Even today, snow falls on both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Both volcanoes are so high that snow falls during winter months, perhaps accumulating to a few meters' depth. The seasonal snow cover on the steep slopes of Mauna Kea is easier to see from coastal areas than on the gentle, rounded slopes of Mauna Loa, whose summit cannot be seen from sea level. - National Park Service info

Glacial Footprints in Hawaii

Despite volcanic activity, signs of glacial footprints still exist in Hawaii. 

Explore More About Glaciers

Discover the fascinating world of glaciers and their impact on the environment. Learn individual glacier names on these pages and their significance in understanding climate change. Essay: O Glacier, We Hardly Knew Ye / Blog / Home | naomiklouda.com

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