Formation and Landscape of Kauai, Hawaii:
The landscape of Hawaii was formed according to the US Geological survey (USGS) when the plate of the earths crust moved over a hot spot. Kauai is said to be one of the oldest of 8 major Hawaiian Islands, 5 million years old to be exact. Each major Hawaiian Island was created by one or a few volcanoes.
Landsat satellite image from NASA
The USGS tells us that, "The dominant slow-acting forces changing Kaua`i are erosion and island subsidence. Subsidence occurs when the crust, on which the island sits, cools and compacts. Erosion the weathering and transport of material from upland to lowland areas and into the sea - occurs mainly through the action of rain and wind." Due to extensive weathering coastal plains, valleys, and large streams are plentiful on the island.
According to waimea.com, Mt. Waialeale, is the islands highest point and receives the heaviest rainfall, with rainfall averaging 452 inches (17,300 mm). The site goes on to say, "Kauai's climate couldn't be more ideal, with coastal temperatures in February and March averaging 70 degrees fahrenheit (21 degrees celsius), and 79 degrees fahrenheit (26 degrees celsius) in August and September."
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| http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/mount-waialeale-hi/ |
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| govsisithawaii.trackur.net |
Hurricanes in Kauai, Hawaii:
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| http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/met/Faculty/businger/poster/hurricane/ |
Hurricane Iniki was one of the most powerful hurricanes to strike Hawaii in recorded history forming on September 5, 1992. We learned in class how during El Nino trace winds push warm water and storms to western pacific and Hurricane Iniki was borne from El Nino, where Iniki traveled on a west-northwest course and continued to strengthen according to Hawaii news now.
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| Hurricane Iniki at peak intensity on September 11 at 2358 UTC. This image was produced from data from NOAA-11, provided by NOAA. |
References:
Dr. Casey D. Allen, Associate Professor, Department of
Geography & Environmental Sciences University of Colorado Denver:
Geographic concepts and understanding were taken from lectures on Fronts,
Cyclones and Hurricanes as well as any other lectures needed.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/6921152/hawaiis-hurricane-history
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