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2017 Map of Wood Valley

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Wood Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Wood Valley and the settlement of Āinapō occupy a landscape defined by volcanic activity on the Island of Hawai'i. The map details a complex geological history, including the notable Keaiwa Lava Flow of 1823 and the Lava Flow of 1920, which underscore the active nature of the eastern terrain within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Numerous gulches like Makakupu Gulch and Wai'akāloa Gulch drain the steep slopes, illustrating the relationship between rainwater runoff and volcanic soil.

Fascinating structural features such as the Great Crack and the Ponohohoa Chasms run through the southeastern section, while prominent landmarks like Ka'ōiki Pali and Pu'ukou rise above the surrounding flows. The orientation of Wood Valley Rd and Center Rd reveals how local transportation adapted to the topography of Ipu'u Ridge and the volcanic fields, providing a modern perspective on this ecologically and geologically significant portion of Hawai'i County.