Roadside Geology of Hawaii

by Rick Hazlett, Cheryl Gansecki, Steve Lundblad

This completely revised, full-color second edition of Roadside Geology of Hawai'i details the evolution of this volcanic island chain, from its first tumultuous appearance above the sea to ongoing eruptions, including the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea. Erosional landscapes dominate the older islands, such as Waimea Canyon on Kaua'i, enormous rounded rocks at Garden of the Gods on Lāna'i, and the highest shoreline cliff in the world on Molokai, the scarp of the Wailau landslide. Volcanoes, cinder cones, and craters dominate the younger islands, from Haleakalā Volcano on Maui and Diamond Head and Koko Craters on O'ahu to the active caldera in the Big Island's Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. With this book as your guide, you'll discover waterfalls, lava tube caves, black sand beaches, and other world-famous geologic features around every bend in the road.

Genres: Science

336 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent lay introduction to the geology of Hawaii. The authors explain how the islands formed, how they are sinking and slowly moving with the tectonic plates and the unique geologic history of pretty much every part of every major island. The authors do a great job of making scientific theories accessible and fascinating. I've lived in Hawaii most of my life and never knew most of what was in this book!

The book is probably best read as an overview, then the reader can choose which chapter to read (like if they are visiting Haleakala or Kauai). The 2022 updated version has excellent info on the 2018 Kilauea eruption (but obviously predates the November 2022 Mauna Loa eruption). This is a worthwhile read if you love nature in Hawaii.

[David Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in Hawai’i, I’ve often wondered what causes and forces lay behind the geologic features visible as I drive around the Big Island. Rick Hazlett and his coauthors do a great job explaining in terms a layman can understand, how the entire chain of Hawaiian islands were formed. The author answers simple questions I had (Why are those rocks red and those grey? Why is one area covered with vegetation while right next to it there’s only bare rock?) and more. The book covers pre-historic eras all the way up to the current state of affairs of volcanos, landslides, beach formation, and includes maps describing geologic features seen from major highways on the Big Island where I live.

I highly recommend it!

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Outdated. The 2018 lava flow changed this.