Mauna Kea ( or , ), also called
Mauna a Wakea in
Hawaiian culture, is a
dormant volcano on the
island of Hawaii. Standing above sea level, its peak is the
highest point in the state of Hawaii. Much of the mountain is under water; when measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over tall, taller than
Mount Everest. Mauna Kea is about a million years old, and has thus passed the most active shield stage of life hundreds of thousands of years ago. In its current post-shield state, its lava is more
viscous, resulting in a steeper profile. Late
volcanism has also given it a much rougher appearance than its neighboring volcanoes; contributing factors include the construction of
cinder cones, the decentralization of its
rift zones, the
glaciation on its peak, and the weathering effects of the prevailing
trade winds. Mauna Kea last erupted 6,000 to 4,000 years ago and is now considered
dormant.