Mauna Kea

volcanoes · Hawaii · mountains

Dormant Hawaiian volcano. Mauna Kea is a shield volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi that isn't currently active, though it once erupted. Its peak rises 13,803 feet above sea level, making it Hawaii's highest point.

Underwater giant. If you measure Mauna Kea from its base on the ocean floor to its peak, it reaches 30,610 feet tall. That's actually taller than Mount Everest, making some people call Mauna Kea the world's tallest mountain when you count the underwater part.

Massive compared to neighbors. Mauna Kea is about 125 feet taller than Mauna Loa, its nearby volcanic neighbor on the same island. Even though Mauna Loa is more massive overall, Mauna Kea takes the crown for height.

One of Earth's most isolated. Mauna Kea is ranked 8th in the world for topographic isolation, meaning it stands out dramatically from other mountains around it. This makes it an especially impressive landmark on the Hawaiian island.