The Volcanos of Oahu
There are two massive extinct volcanos on the island of Oahu. The Wai'anae shield volcano rises above the Leilehu Plateau. The highest peak on this volcano, 4,003 foot Mount Kaala, is also the highest point on the island. Scientist estimate this 24 mile long volcano is 3.7 million years old.
The other volcano, Koolau, means windward in Hawaiian. This 37 mile long mountain rises 3,150 feet above Honolulu and is estimated to be 2.6 million years old.
Both of the shield volcanos were formed 220 miles to the south over a stationary plume of lava rising from the center of the Earth known as the Hawaiian hot spot. The Pacific tectonic plate, moving three to four inches northwestward each year, has carried these massive volcanos to their present location.
At 597.1 square miles, Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian island. Honolulu is 2,397 miles from the North American coastline and 2,400 miles from the nearest group of high islands, the Marquesas Group in French Polynesia.
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Additional Maps
Street maps
Oahu Major Roads
MapQuest - Downtown Honolulu
MapQuest - Waikiki
Scientific images/maps
Nuuanu and Wailau Landslides
Oahu Land Cover
Generalized Geologic Map
Underwater Topography HURL
Hawaii's Landslides
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