View from the Top of the World

My field work is centered on Mauna Loa, often cited as the world's largest mountain, as measured from the sea floor where this behemoth begins its rise from nearly 30,000 feet below sea level to over 13k above sea level. Take that mount everest. Yet this strange mountain has no peak, no glaciers, not even a decent cliff or pinnacle to climb. It's profile is as bland as can be. This, folks, is a shield volcano. So named because of the profile of a shield...





Two surprises. First, you win a prize if you realized that this pic is of Mauna Kea (taken from Mauna Loa). Two, you win an even bigger prize if you realize that I actually took this photo, and didn't pirate it from the web or a friend (as I have nearly every other picture i've ever shown anyone). I don't have a good pic of Mauna Loa's profile that I have taken, and I'm trying to learn how to use my new camera, so i'm gonna stop stealing people's pics...hopefully.

Next photos...taken from Mauna Loa summit, after a helicopter ride to the top, thank you US Government for funding my good time.



--- The dark puffy clouds are the top of the eruption plume spewing out of Kilauea, the actively erupting volcano in my backyard ----


--- A panorama of Makuaweoweo, the summit crater of Mauna Loa. The field of view is about 6km across. Big-ass crater. ---

I'll make a Picasa photo album sometime soon to exhibit the coolest I have to offer.