Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, standing about 13,800 feet above sea level. When measured from its base on the ocean floor, it is over 33,000 feet tall—making it one of the tallest mountains in the world. The summit is home to some of the world's most important astronomical observatories because its high altitude, stable atmosphere, and minimal light pollution provide ideal conditions for telescopic observations. Mauna Kea holds cultural significance for native Hawaiians and is a site of both scientific research and spiritual reverence.