Diamond Head, Hawaii
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ Diamond Head is a really cool volcanic tuff cone located on the island of O’ahu in Hawaii. It’s been around for 500,000 years and was formed during a series of explosive eruptions. The cone is about 760 feet (232 meters) tall and 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) in diameter. The name “Diamond Head” was given by British sailors in the 19th century, who discovered sparkling volcanic calcite crystals in the sand and mistook them for diamonds. The Hawaiian name Lēʻahi is most likely derived from lae (browridge, promontory) plus ʻahi (tuna) because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna’s dorsal fin. Diamond Head is a defining feature of the view known to residents and tourists of Waikīkī, and also a U.S. National Natural Monument. While part of it is closed to the public and serves as a platform for antennas used by the U.S. government, the rest of it is a popular destination. You can hike to the summit using a trail that leads to the edge of the crater rim. It’s a gr...