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1981 Map of Kau Desert

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Kau Desert
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park dominates this volcanic landscape, where the shifting earth is marked by recent geological events like the Lava Flow of 1971 and Lava Flow of 1974. The topography is defined by the massive descent of the Hilina Pali, a coastal escarpment that drops toward the Pacific Ocean. Isolated islands of vegetation, or kipukas, such as Kipuka Pepeiau and Kipuka Kamooalii, appear as green sanctuaries surrounded by the younger, dark lavas of the Kau Desert.

Along the coast, hikers and researchers can find remote landmarks like the Pepeiau Shelter and the Kipuka Nene Campground Picnic Area. The map also records distinctive volcanic features including Mauna Iki, Cone Crater, and numerous Pit Craters, illustrating the ongoing transformation of the Big Island's southern flank. This 1981 revision captures the park's rugged trail system and the exact extent of lava flows from the previous decade.