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Coordinates: 18°56′11″N 155°38′47″W / 18.93639°N 155.64639°W / 18.93639; -155.64639
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{{Short description|Green sand beach in Kaʻū district, Hawai'i, US}}
[[File:Papakolea_snapshot.jpg|thumb|Looking over Papakolea Beach]]
[[File:Papakolea snapshot.jpg|thumb|Looking over Papakolea Beach]]
'''Papakōlea Beach''' (also known as '''Green Sand Beach''' or '''Mahana Beach'''<ref>{{gnis|1905507|Mahana Beach}}</ref>) is a green sand beach located near [[Ka Lae|South Point]], in the [[Kau, Hawaii|Ka{{okina}}ū district]] of the [[Hawaii (island)|island of Hawai{{okina}}i]]. One of only two green sand beaches in the United States, the other being in [[Guam]],<ref name="westhawaiisand">{{cite web
'''Papakōlea Beach''' (also known as '''Green Sand Beach''' or '''Mahana Beach'''<ref>{{gnis|1905507|Mahana Beach}}</ref>) is a green sand beach located near [[Ka Lae|South Point]], in the [[Kau, Hawaii|Ka{{okina}}ū district]] of the [[Hawaii (island)|island of Hawai{{okina}}i]]. It is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, the others being Talofofo Beach, [[Guam]]; Punta Cormorant on [[Floreana Island]] in the [[Galapagos Islands]]; and [[Hornindalsvatnet]], [[Norway]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/worlds-green-sand-beaches |title=At These Beaches, You'll Find Sand That's Naturally Green |last=Casale |first=Steven |date=October 15, 2017 |work=Travel + Leisure |access-date=2018-07-10 |language=en}}</ref>{{better source|date=September 2023}} It gets its distinctive coloring from [[olivine]] sand eroded out of the enclosing volcanic cone (tuff ring).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/greensand.html |title=USGS Geology and Geophysics |last=Frank |first=Dave |website=geomaps.wr.usgs.gov |access-date=2018-07-10}}</ref>
| last = Lucas
| first = Carolyn
| url = http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2006/06/13/local/local02.prt
| title = What makes sand... A look at the science behind the scenic
| publisher = West Hawaii Today
| date = 2006-06-13
| accessdate = 2008-01-23
}}</ref> the beach gets distinctive coloring from [[olivine]] crystals found in the enclosing [[cinder cone]].


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
[[File:Looking south down over Papakolea Beach.JPG|thumb|left|Climbing down to the beach requires a certain level of mobility.]]
[[Image:Green_Sands_Papakolea.jpg|right|thumb|100px|The green sand is more abundant at the bottom of the cinder cone.]]
[[File:Green Sands Papakolea.jpg|right|thumb|100px|The green sand is more abundant at the bottom of the tuff ring.]]
Papakōlea Beach is located in a [[bay]] half circled by Pu{{okina}}u Mahana, a [[cinder cone]] formed over 49,000 years ago<ref name="usgsorigins">{{cite web
Papakōlea Beach is located in a [[bay]] half circled by Pu{{okina}}u Mahana, a tuff ring<ref>Pers. comm, of [[Ken Hon]], University of Hawaii, Hilo, to J. Encarnacion, Saint Louis University, and J. Encarnacion's personal field notes.</ref> formed over 49,000 years ago<ref name="usgsorigins">{{cite web |title=The Origins of Puʻu Mahana are not crystal clear |work=Hawaiian Volcano Observatory |publisher=[[USGS]] |date=2005-10-27 |url=http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/2005/05_10_27.html |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> and associated with the southwest rift of [[Mauna Loa]]. Unlike cinder cones, [[Phreatomagmatic eruption|tuff rings]] consist mostly of volcanic ash produced by violent interactions of magma with groundwater (Diamond Head, on the Island of Oahu, is another example of a tuff ring). Since its last eruption, the tuff ring has partially collapsed and been partially eroded by the ocean. The beach is sometimes named after the tuff ring, and sometimes after the area of land called Papakōlea, which comes from ''papa kōlea'', which means [[plover]] flats in the [[Hawaiian language]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wehewehe.org/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&j=pp&l=en&q=Papakolea |title=lookup of Papakolea |work=on Place Names of Hawai'i |author=[[Mary Kawena Pukui]] and Elbert |year=2004 |publisher=Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii |accessdate=2010-04-15}}</ref> Papakōlea is the area near the crater<ref>{{gnis|363129|Papakōlea}}</ref> where [[Pacific golden plover]]s (''Pluvialis fulva'') are sometimes seen in winter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wehewehe.org/cgi-bin/hdict?e=q&a=q&l=en&q=plover |title=lookup of plover |work=on Hawaiian dictionary |author=[[Mary Kawena Pukui]] and Elbert |year=2003 |publisher=Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii |accessdate=2010-03-01}}</ref>
| title = The Origins of Pu{{okina}}u Mahana are not crystal clear
| work = Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
| publisher = [[USGS]]
| date = 2005-10-27
| url = http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/2005/05_10_27.html
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}}</ref> and associated with the southwest rift of [[Mauna Loa]]. Since its last eruption, the cinder cone has partially collapsed and been partially eroded by the ocean. The beach is sometimes named after the cinder cone, and sometimes after the area of land called Papakōlea, which comes from ''papa kōlea'', which means [[plover]] flats in the [[Hawaiian language]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://wehewehe.org/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&j=pp&l=en&q=Papakolea |title=lookup of Papakolea |work= on Place Names of Hawai'i |author= [[Mary Kawena Pukui]] and Elbert |year=2004 |publisher= Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii |accessdate= 2010-04-15 }}</ref> Papakōlea is the area near the crater<ref>{{gnis|363129|Papakōlea}}</ref> where the [[Pacific Golden Plover]] (''Pluvialis fulva'') are sometimes seen in winter.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://wehewehe.org/cgi-bin/hdict?e=q&a=q&l=en&q=plover |title=lookup of plover |work= on Hawaiian dictionary |author= [[Mary Kawena Pukui]] and Elbert |year=2003 |publisher= Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii |accessdate= 2010-03-01 }}</ref>


The fragmented volcanic material ([[Pyroclastic rock|pyroclastics]]) of the tuff ring contains [[olivine]], a [[silicate]] mineral containing [[iron]] and [[magnesium]], also known as [[peridot]] when of gem quality. Olivine is a common mineral component of lava and is one of the first crystals to form as [[magma]] cools.<ref name="westhawaiisand">{{cite web |last=Lucas |first=Carolyn |url=http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2006/06/13/local/local02.prt |title=What makes sand... A look at the science behind the scenic |publisher=West Hawaii Today |date=2006-06-13 |accessdate=2008-01-23}}</ref> Olivine is locally known as "Hawaiian Diamond" and is notably found in [[Oahu|O{{okina}}ahu's]] famous [[Diamond Head, Hawaii|Diamond Head]] landmark.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tilling |first=Robert I. |author2=Christina Heliker |author3=Thomas L. Wright |title=Eruptive Style: Powerful but Usually Benign |work=Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present, and Future |publisher=[[USGS]] |date=1987 |url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hawaii/page36.html |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> The source of the green coloration of the beach sands is due to the olivine crystals (whose green color is due to ferrous iron) which are winnowed from the eroding headland by the action of the sea. Olivine, being denser than the enclosing ash matrix, tends to accumulate on the beach whereas the less dense [[black sand|volcanic sand]] is swept out to sea.<ref name="usgsgreensand">{{cite web |title=Green Sand |work=Coastal Geology of the Parks |publisher=[[USGS]] |date=2004 |url=http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/greensand.html |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mattox |first=Steve |title=How was the green sand beach on the Big Island, Hawaii formed? |work=Volcano World |publisher=[[University of North Dakota]] |url=http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp5/question1428.html |accessdate=2008-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221230813/http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp5/question1428.html |archive-date=2007-12-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Elsewhere on the Big Island, olivine is enclosed in lava rock, rather than volcanic ash, so the olivine is not easily freed from the enclosing rock and tends to weather away rather than accumulate and concentrate as beach sand. [[File:OliveneCrystals.JPG|thumb|Olivine Crystals in Lava Rock. This is the source of the green sand found on the green sand beach|200px|right]] Although these crystals are eventually broken down by weathering and chemical action and washed away, the constant erosion of the tuff ring ensures a steady supply of sand for the foreseeable future. Eventually, however, the supply will run out and the beach will look like any other.<ref name="gettingthere">{{cite web |url=http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/index.html |title=Green Sand Beach - Getting There |work=[Coastal Geology of the Parks] |location=Reston, VA & Denver, CO, USA |publisher=[[USGS]] |accessdate=April 26, 2012}}</ref>
The cinder cone is rich in [[olivine]], a [[silicate]] mineral containing [[iron]] and [[magnesium]], also known as [[peridot]] when of gem quality. Olivine is a common mineral component of Hawaiian [[lava]]s and one of the first crystals to form as [[magma]] cools.<ref name="westhawaiisand" /> Olivine is locally known as "Hawaiian Diamond" and is notably found in [[Oahu|O{{okina}}ahu's]] famous [[Diamond Head, Hawaii|Diamond Head]] landmark.<ref>{{cite web
| last = Tilling
| first = Robert I.
| coauthors = Christina Heliker, Thomas L. Wright
| title = Eruptive Style: Powerful but Usually Benign
| work = Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present, and Future
| publisher = [[USGS]]
| date = 1987
| url = http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/hawaii/page36.html
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}}</ref> The source of the green coloration of the beach sands is due to the olivine crystals which are winnowed from the eroding headland by the action of the sea. Olivine, being denser and tougher than the ash fragments, glass and black [[pyroxene]] of the rest of the rocks and lava flows, tends to accumulate on the beach whereas the usual [[black sand|volcanic sand]] is swept out to sea.<ref name="usgsgreensand">{{cite web
| title = Green Sand
| work = Coastal Geology of the Parks
| publisher = [[USGS]]
| date = 2004
| url = http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/greensand.html
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| last = Mattox
| first = Steve
| title = How was the green sand beach on the Big Island, Hawaii formed?
| work = Volcano World
| publisher = [[University of North Dakota]]
| url = http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp5/question1428.html
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}}</ref> Although these crystals are eventually washed away as well, the constant erosion of the cinder cone ensures a steady supply of sand for the foreseeable future&mdash;eventually, however, the supply will run out and the beach will look like any other.<ref name="gettingthere">{{cite web
| title = Green Sand Beach, Hawai{{okina}}i - Getting There
| work = Coastal Geology of the Parks
| publisher = [[USGS]]
| date = 2004
| url = http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/index.html
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


The formation of the cinder cone is currently a point of contention, with some arguing that lava flowing into the sea was suddenly cooled, forming an edifice on the coastline (a [[cinder cone|littoral cone]]) and others noting that the cone was most likely too far away from the ocean at the time of formation to make such an event possible.<ref name="usgsorigins"/> Regardless of how it was formed according to the [[United States Geological Survey]], the last lava flow in the area ended over 10,000 years ago, making the area one of the more stable features in the geologically turbulent Ka{{okina}}ū region.<ref>{{cite web
The formation of the tuff ring is currently a point of contention, with some arguing that lava flowing into the sea was suddenly cooled, forming an edifice on the coastline (a [[littoral cone]]) and others noting that the cone was most likely too far away from the ocean at the time of formation (sea level was much lower during the last Ice Age, when the cone formed) to make such an event possible.<ref name="usgsorigins"/> Regardless of how it was formed, according to the [[United States Geological Survey]], the last lava flow in the area ended over 10,000 years ago, making the area one of the more stable features in the geologically turbulent Ka{{okina}}ū region.<ref>{{cite web |work=Hawaiian Volcano Observatory |url=http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/1998/98_03_05.html |title=Natural hazards in the Kaʻu District |publisher=[[USGS]] |date=1998-03-05 |accessdate=2008-01-23}}</ref> As such, the geologic history of the site can be seen in the rock surrounding the beach and bay, which are not subject to erosion and thus display geologic layers formed by previous eruptions, lava flows, and other volcanic events.<ref name="thebeach">{{cite web |url=http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/gsand2.html |title=Green Sand Beach - The Beach |work=[Coastal Geology of the Parks] |location=Reston, VA & Denver, CO, USA |publisher=[[USGS]] |accessdate=April 26, 2012}}</ref> In addition, the current patterns of erosion can be seen first-hand, as only the portions at the bottom of the tuff ring collapse have been subject to the waves and turned into green sand; the remaining portions appear gray.<ref name="slope">{{cite web |url=http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/gsand3.html |title=Green Sand Beach - Slope |work=[Coastal Geology of the Parks] |location=Reston, VA & Denver, CO, USA |publisher=[[USGS]] |accessdate=April 26, 2012}}</ref>
<gallery class="center" widths="200px">
| work = Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
File:Papakolea Beach sand low mag 052915.JPG|Close view of olivine-rich sand found on the beach
| url = http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/1998/98_03_05.html
File:GreenSand.JPG|Green Sand closeup view, for color reference
| title = Natural hazards in the Ka{{okina}}u District
</gallery>
| publisher = [[USGS]]
| date = 1998-03-05
| accessdate = 2008-01-23
}}</ref> As such, the geologic history of the site can be seen in the rock surrounding the beach and bay, which are not subject to erosion and thus display geologic layers formed by previous eruptions, lava flows, and other volcanic events.<ref name="thebeach">{{cite web
| title = Green Sand Beach, Hawai{{okina}}i - The Beach
| work = Coastal Geology of the Parks
| publisher = [[USGS]]
| date = 2004
| url = http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/gsand2.html
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}}</ref> In addition, the current patterns of erosion can be seen first-hand, as only the portions at the bottom of the cinder cone collapse have been subject to the waves and turned into green sand; the remaining portions appear gray.<ref name="slope">{{cite web
| title = Green Sand Beach, Hawai{{okina}}i - Slope
| work = Coastal Geology of the Parks
| publisher = [[USGS]]
| date = 2004
| url = http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/parks/coast/sand/gsand3.html
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
[[Image:Green sand beach1.jpg|Green Sand Beach|thumb|200px|left]]
{{-}}

==Green sand in space==
[[File:Green sand closeup 2.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Closeup of green sand from Papakolea Beach]]
In 2005, the [[Gemini Observatory|Gemini project]] observed the collision of ''[[Deep Impact (spacecraft)|Deep Impact]]'' with the [[comet]] [[9P/Tempel]]. By examining the aftermath of the collision in infrared, scientists were able to confirm that a portion of the material ejected was olivine crystals similar in shape and structure to the sand found at Papakolea Beach, albeit smaller.<ref name="nasa_gemini">{{cite web
| last = Bluck
| first = John
| work = [[NASA Ames Research Center]]
| title = NASA Research Finds Green Sand Crystals Are in Comet Tempel 1
| publisher = [[NASA]]
| url = http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/exploringtheuniverse/comettemple1.html
| date = 2005-09-15
| accessdate = 2008-01-24
}}</ref> Although the comet [[Hale-Bopp]] routinely sheds green crystals from its surface, this was the first time that green sand was confirmed to exist within a comet already "cooked" by the sun.


==Access==
==Access==
[[File:Following rough paths to the Green Sand Beach.jpg|thumb|right|Looking east over the many rough path choices on the way to Papakolea Beach]]
The beach is located at coordinates {{coord|18.936379|N| 155.646315|W| region:US-HI_type:waterbody |display=inline,title}}, about {{convert|3|mi}} east of [[Ka Lae]] (known as South Point) on the [[Hawaii (island)|island of Hawai{{okina}}i]].<ref>{{cite book |author= John R. K. Clark |title= Hawai'i place names: shores, beaches, and surf sites |publisher= [[University of Hawaii Press]] |year= 2001 |isbn= 978-0824824518 |page= 83 |url= http://www.ulukau.org/elib/cgi-bin/library?c=cpn&l=en }}</ref>
The beach is located about {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} east of [[Ka Lae]] (known as South Point) on the [[Hawaii (island)|island of Hawai{{okina}}i]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.ulukau.org/elib/cgi-bin/library?c=cpn&l=en |title=Hawai'i place names: shores, beaches, and surf sites |author=John R. K. Clark |publisher=[[University of Hawaii Press]] |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-8248-2451-8 |page=83}}</ref>
It is surrounded by [[pasture]]lands and is only accessible on foot or by using a vehicle equipped with [[4WD|four-wheel drive]].<ref name="frommers">{{cite web
It is surrounded by [[pasture]]lands and is only legally accessible by foot. The paths are rugged (due to both illegal vehicular traffic and erosion) and the land owner, the [https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/special-area-plans/south-point/ Department of Hawaiian Home Lands], has attempted to restrict vehicular traffic in the area since 2016.<ref name="frommers">{{cite web |url=http://www.frommers.com/destinations/hawaiithebigisland/0008020389.html |title=Beaches |last=Foster |first=Jeanette |date=2007 |work=Frommer's Hawaii 2008 |publisher=[[Frommer's]] |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> However, these attempts to restrict the illegal shuttling of tourists through the exceptionally fragile ecosystem have failed due to the demand created by tourists to avoid the 2.9 mile walk to the beach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-27 |title=South Point Resources Management Plan |url=https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/special-area-plans/south-point/ |access-date=2021-10-04 |website=Department of Hawaiian Home Lands |language=en}}</ref> The tourists pay for illegal shuttles which have created ruts in the soil that reach well over 8 feet deep as shown in the photo below from December 20, 2020.
| last = Foster
[[File:Papakolea Beach Ruts.jpg|center|thumb|6' 8" (2.04 m) man traversing the ruts created by illegal shuttles]]
| first = Jeanette

| title = Beaches

| work = Frommer's Hawaii 2008
In order to reach the beach after crossing the pastureland, one has to climb down the tuff ring.<ref name="goworldtravel">{{cite web |url=https://www.goworldtravel.com/green-sand-beach-big-island-travel/ |title=In Search of Green: The Unusual Side of Hawaii's Big Island |last=Graber |first=Janna |date=2007 |publisher=Go World Travel Magazine |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref><ref name="drbeach">{{cite web |url=http://www.beachfinder.org/beachfinderselection_GreenSand.htm |title=Green Sand Beach (Papakolea Beach) |last=Leatherman |first=Stephen P. |authorlink=Stephen Leatherman |date=June 7, 2011 |accessdate=April 26, 2012}}</ref>[[File:Accessing the Green Sands Beach from the west across pastureland.JPG|thumb|center|1030px|Hiking to the Green Sands Beach from the west across pastureland. The rim of its tuff ring is just left of the photo's center.]]
| publisher = [[Frommer's]]
[[File:Papakolea Beach, Hawaii.jpg|thumb|1020px|center|A first glimpse of Papakolea Beach after a long hike from the parking area]]
| date = 2007
[[File:Papakolea Beach - South Point, Kona (Big Island), Hawaii.jpg|thumb|1020px|center|Panoramic view of the Papakōlea Beach as seen from the green sands on the beach.]]
| url = http://www.frommers.com/destinations/hawaiithebigisland/0008020389.html

| accessdate = 2008-01-22
==See also==
}}</ref> To actually reach the beach, an additional climb down the cinder cone is required.<ref name="frommers">{{cite web
*[[Papakōlea]]
| last = Graber
| first = Janna
| title = In Search of Green: The Unusual Side of Hawaii's Big Island
| publisher = Go World Travel Magazine
| date = 2007
| url = http://www.goworldtravel.com/ex/aspx/articleGuid.%7BAB7491F2-C266-4C4D-8BF2-4B2C69319352%7D/xe/article.htm
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
}}</ref><ref name="drbeach">{{cite web
| last = Leatherman
| first = Stephen P.
| title = Big Island
| publisher = Drbeach.org
| date = 2007
| url = http://www.drbeach.org/drbeach/hawaii/beach_hawaiian_bigisland.htm
| accessdate = 2008-01-22
|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070817152431/http://www.drbeach.org/drbeach/hawaii/beach_hawaiian_bigisland.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-08-17}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
{{Commons|Category:Mahana Beach|Papakolea Beach}}
{{Commons category|Mahana Beach|Papakolea Beach}}
*{{Cite book |last1=Bendure |first1=Glenda |last2=Friary |first2=Ned |title=Hawaii |contribution=Hawaii |pages=[https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanethawa00glen_0/page/327 327–28] |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] |year=1997 |edition=4th |isbn=0-86442-489-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanethawa00glen_0/page/327}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Bendure
| first = Glenda
| last2 = Friary
| first2 = Ned
| title = Hawaii
| contribution = Hawaii
| pages = 327–28
| publisher = [[Lonely Planet]]
| year = 1997
| edition = 4th
| isbn = 0-86442-489-2
}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{cite web|title=Green Sand Beach Hawaii |work=web site |url=http://www.greensandbeachhawaii.com |accessdate= 2010-04-15 }}
*{{cite web |title=Green Sand Beach Hawaii |work=web site |url=http://www.greensandbeachhawaii.com |accessdate=2010-04-15}}

{{Coord|18|56|11|N|155|38|47|W|display=title}}


[[Category:Beaches of Hawaii (island)]]
[[Category:Beaches of Hawaii (island)]]

Latest revision as of 17:14, 7 September 2024

Looking over Papakolea Beach

Papakōlea Beach (also known as Green Sand Beach or Mahana Beach[1]) is a green sand beach located near South Point, in the Kaʻū district of the island of Hawaiʻi. It is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, the others being Talofofo Beach, Guam; Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island in the Galapagos Islands; and Hornindalsvatnet, Norway.[2][better source needed] It gets its distinctive coloring from olivine sand eroded out of the enclosing volcanic cone (tuff ring).[3]

Characteristics

[edit]
Climbing down to the beach requires a certain level of mobility.
The green sand is more abundant at the bottom of the tuff ring.

Papakōlea Beach is located in a bay half circled by Puʻu Mahana, a tuff ring[4] formed over 49,000 years ago[5] and associated with the southwest rift of Mauna Loa. Unlike cinder cones, tuff rings consist mostly of volcanic ash produced by violent interactions of magma with groundwater (Diamond Head, on the Island of Oahu, is another example of a tuff ring). Since its last eruption, the tuff ring has partially collapsed and been partially eroded by the ocean. The beach is sometimes named after the tuff ring, and sometimes after the area of land called Papakōlea, which comes from papa kōlea, which means plover flats in the Hawaiian language.[6] Papakōlea is the area near the crater[7] where Pacific golden plovers (Pluvialis fulva) are sometimes seen in winter.[8]

The fragmented volcanic material (pyroclastics) of the tuff ring contains olivine, a silicate mineral containing iron and magnesium, also known as peridot when of gem quality. Olivine is a common mineral component of lava and is one of the first crystals to form as magma cools.[9] Olivine is locally known as "Hawaiian Diamond" and is notably found in Oʻahu's famous Diamond Head landmark.[10] The source of the green coloration of the beach sands is due to the olivine crystals (whose green color is due to ferrous iron) which are winnowed from the eroding headland by the action of the sea. Olivine, being denser than the enclosing ash matrix, tends to accumulate on the beach whereas the less dense volcanic sand is swept out to sea.[11][12] Elsewhere on the Big Island, olivine is enclosed in lava rock, rather than volcanic ash, so the olivine is not easily freed from the enclosing rock and tends to weather away rather than accumulate and concentrate as beach sand.

Olivine Crystals in Lava Rock. This is the source of the green sand found on the green sand beach

Although these crystals are eventually broken down by weathering and chemical action and washed away, the constant erosion of the tuff ring ensures a steady supply of sand for the foreseeable future. Eventually, however, the supply will run out and the beach will look like any other.[13]

The formation of the tuff ring is currently a point of contention, with some arguing that lava flowing into the sea was suddenly cooled, forming an edifice on the coastline (a littoral cone) and others noting that the cone was most likely too far away from the ocean at the time of formation (sea level was much lower during the last Ice Age, when the cone formed) to make such an event possible.[5] Regardless of how it was formed, according to the United States Geological Survey, the last lava flow in the area ended over 10,000 years ago, making the area one of the more stable features in the geologically turbulent Kaʻū region.[14] As such, the geologic history of the site can be seen in the rock surrounding the beach and bay, which are not subject to erosion and thus display geologic layers formed by previous eruptions, lava flows, and other volcanic events.[15] In addition, the current patterns of erosion can be seen first-hand, as only the portions at the bottom of the tuff ring collapse have been subject to the waves and turned into green sand; the remaining portions appear gray.[16]

  • Close view of olivine-rich sand found on the beach
    Close view of olivine-rich sand found on the beach
  • Green Sand closeup view, for color reference
    Green Sand closeup view, for color reference

Access

[edit]
Looking east over the many rough path choices on the way to Papakolea Beach

The beach is located about 3 miles (5 km) east of Ka Lae (known as South Point) on the island of Hawaiʻi.[17] It is surrounded by pasturelands and is only legally accessible by foot. The paths are rugged (due to both illegal vehicular traffic and erosion) and the land owner, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, has attempted to restrict vehicular traffic in the area since 2016.[18] However, these attempts to restrict the illegal shuttling of tourists through the exceptionally fragile ecosystem have failed due to the demand created by tourists to avoid the 2.9 mile walk to the beach.[19] The tourists pay for illegal shuttles which have created ruts in the soil that reach well over 8 feet deep as shown in the photo below from December 20, 2020.

6' 8" (2.04 m) man traversing the ruts created by illegal shuttles


In order to reach the beach after crossing the pastureland, one has to climb down the tuff ring.[20][21]

Hiking to the Green Sands Beach from the west across pastureland. The rim of its tuff ring is just left of the photo's center.
A first glimpse of Papakolea Beach after a long hike from the parking area
Panoramic view of the Papakōlea Beach as seen from the green sands on the beach.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mahana Beach
  2. ^ Casale, Steven (October 15, 2017). "At These Beaches, You'll Find Sand That's Naturally Green". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  3. ^ Frank, Dave. "USGS Geology and Geophysics". geomaps.wr.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  4. ^ Pers. comm, of Ken Hon, University of Hawaii, Hilo, to J. Encarnacion, Saint Louis University, and J. Encarnacion's personal field notes.
  5. ^ a b "The Origins of Puʻu Mahana are not crystal clear". Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. USGS. 2005-10-27. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  6. ^ Mary Kawena Pukui and Elbert (2004). "lookup of Papakolea". on Place Names of Hawai'i. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  7. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Papakōlea
  8. ^ Mary Kawena Pukui and Elbert (2003). "lookup of plover". on Hawaiian dictionary. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  9. ^ Lucas, Carolyn (2006-06-13). "What makes sand... A look at the science behind the scenic". West Hawaii Today. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  10. ^ Tilling, Robert I.; Christina Heliker; Thomas L. Wright (1987). "Eruptive Style: Powerful but Usually Benign". Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes: Past, Present, and Future. USGS. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  11. ^ "Green Sand". Coastal Geology of the Parks. USGS. 2004. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  12. ^ Mattox, Steve. "How was the green sand beach on the Big Island, Hawaii formed?". Volcano World. University of North Dakota. Archived from the original on 2007-12-21. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  13. ^ "Green Sand Beach - Getting There". [Coastal Geology of the Parks]. Reston, VA & Denver, CO, USA: USGS. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  14. ^ "Natural hazards in the Kaʻu District". Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. USGS. 1998-03-05. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  15. ^ "Green Sand Beach - The Beach". [Coastal Geology of the Parks]. Reston, VA & Denver, CO, USA: USGS. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  16. ^ "Green Sand Beach - Slope". [Coastal Geology of the Parks]. Reston, VA & Denver, CO, USA: USGS. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  17. ^ John R. K. Clark (2001). Hawai'i place names: shores, beaches, and surf sites. University of Hawaii Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-8248-2451-8.
  18. ^ Foster, Jeanette (2007). "Beaches". Frommer's Hawaii 2008. Frommer's. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  19. ^ "South Point Resources Management Plan". Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. 2015-07-27. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  20. ^ Graber, Janna (2007). "In Search of Green: The Unusual Side of Hawaii's Big Island". Go World Travel Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  21. ^ Leatherman, Stephen P. (June 7, 2011). "Green Sand Beach (Papakolea Beach)". Retrieved April 26, 2012.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Papakolea Beach.
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18°56′11″N 155°38′47″W / 18.93639°N 155.64639°W / 18.93639; -155.64639

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