Diamond Head, Hawaii
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- "Diamond Head" redirects here. This article describes the Hawaiian volcano. For the British heavy metal band, see Diamond Head (band).
| Diamond Head | |
|---|---|
 Diamond Head cone seen from Waikīkī |
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| Elevation | 762 ft (232 m) |
| Location | Hawaiʻi, USA |
| Range | Hawaiian Islands |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | USGS Honolulu |
| Type | Volcanic cone |
| Age of rock | 200,000 years |
| Easiest route | follow the trail |
Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi, most likely from lae 'browridge, promontory' plus ʻahi 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin.[1] Its English name was given by British sailors in the 19th century, who mistook calcite crystals embedded in the rock for diamonds.
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[edit] Geology
Diamond Head is part of the complex of cones, vents, and their associated eruption flows that are collectively known to geologists as the Honolulu Volcanic Series, eruptions from the Koʻolau Volcano that took place long after the volcano formed and had gone dormant. The Honolulu Volcanic Series is a series of volcanic eruption events that created many of Oʻahu's well-known landmarks, including Punchbowl Crater, Hanauma Bay, Koko Head, and Manana Island in addition to Diamond Head.
Diamond Head, like the rest of the Honolulu Volcanics, is much younger than the main mass of the Koʻolau Mountain Range. While the Koʻolau Range is about 2.6 million years old, Diamond Head is estimated to be about 200,000 years old and extinct for 150,000 years.
The eruption that built up Diamond Head was probably very brief, lasting no more than a few days. It was probably explosive, since when the cone was originally formed, the sea level is thought to have been higher and the vent burst erupted over a coral reef. Another factor probably contributing to the eruption's explosive nature was that rising magma would have come into contact with the water table. The eruption's relatively brief length is thought to explain why the cone today is so symmetrical.
A nearby eruption that took place at about the same time as the Diamond Head eruption was the eruption that built the Black Point lava shield. Since the type of eruptions that built Diamond Head tend to be monogenetic, geologists don't believe Diamond Head will erupt again.
[edit] Tourism and fame
Diamond Head is a defining feature of the view known to residents and tourists of Waikīkī alike. The volcanic cone is a United States State Monument. While part of it serves as a platform for antennas used by the U.S. government and is closed to the public, the crater's proximity to Honolulu's resort hotels and beaches makes the rest of it a popular destination. A 0.7 mile (1.1 km) hike leads to the edge of the crater's rim. Although not difficult, the trail winds over uneven rock, through a tunnel and ascends 173 steps. Next is another lighted tunnel and 98 more steps on a spiral staircase inside a coastal artillery observation platform built in 1908. Here a certificate of accomplishment can be obtained. From here both Waikīkī and the Pacific Ocean can be seen in detail. The climb takes about 90 minutes. Visitors should bring water and a hat as the trail can get hot. The park closes at 6 P.M.
As symbol of worldwide recognition for the Hawaiian Islands, it is not surprising that the name Diamond Head is widely used for commercial purposes (see Diamond Head (film) and Diamond Head (band)). Many souvenirs from Hawaii and surf shop logos across the globe bear the volcano's distinctive silhouette.
[edit] Television show
There was a 1975 televised game show, The Diamond Head Game set at Diamond Head. The host was the game show main-stay, Bob Eubanks. Final contestants could step into a "Money Volcano" and catch flying bills of real money. [2]
[edit] Other references
Areas of Diamond Head are also used while filming the television series Lost which is filmed entirely on location on the island of Oʻahu. Seen from the Waikīkī Beach, Diamond Head looks just like the "black mountain" featured in Lost.
[edit] Education
[edit] Gallery
 View from Halekulani Hotel. |
 View from Punchbowl Crater in Winter |
 Diamond Head cone seen from the coast off Waikīkī |
 Picture From Waikiki |
 View from Rocky Hill, which resides over Punahou School |
 View of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach with surfers in the ocean. |
[edit] References
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007) |
- ^ Mary Kawena Pukui, Samuel H. Elbert, Esther K. Mookini, eds. (1974). Place Names of Hawaii, revised and expanded edition. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. ISBN 0824805240.
- ^ "The Diamond Head Game" (1975)
- ^ About Kaimuki High School
