U-036 - Mauna Kea Summit Erosion Monitoring
PI: Dr. Ryan Perroy
Project Lead: Ryan Perroy
Funding Source: Office of Mauna Kea Management
Location: Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Dates: 2014-08-18 to 2014-08-18
Project Summary
Mauna Kea, a dormant 13,800-foot-tall volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, is experiencing substantial natural and human-caused erosion at its summit. The goal of this project is to monitor these erosion rates by providing a baseline high-resolution topographic map of the summit area to quantify natural and anthropomorphic influences. The project will also help to establish a habitat suitability model for the Wekiu bug, a rare endemic invertebrate species that is only found on Mauna Kea. Additionally, the topographic map will enhance and contribute to models of paleoclimate, permafrost and glacial geomorphology studies of the area. Mauna Kea has experienced three glaciation periods dating from 70,000 to 13,000 years ago. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data will provide a 3D topographic baseline against which future surveys can be compared to determine natural and human-caused erosion rates. Effective monitoring and control measures can then be developed to help mitigate erosion.