Artist Dominic Tidmarsh built his Mauna Kea model with layers of plywood much the same as layers of lava spilled on top of each other to create the original volcano. Each layer of the model represents a 240 foot contour, starting at the 3,400 foot elevation and peaking at the summit, 13,796 ft. Dominic consulted 40 ft interval topographical maps of the Mauna Kea area, and choose a scale of 1:1.5 to provide a slight vertical exaggeration. He cut contour maps to make a template for each layer; stacked them to check for accuracy; then traced an outline on each layer below to assure correct alignment. Using cross braces, glue, nails and screws, Dominic designed a system to reduce the weight of the model while providing sufficient support, so that the model is sturdy enough for the artist to stand on it. After covering the layers with smooth modeling paste, Dominic carved the details of each gulch. He referenced aerial photos, space shuttle photos and his own to mix natural paint colors for each area. The finished model is large enough, at 4x4 feet, that the viewer's vantage point of the mountain is as though seen from a small airplane. There is no indication of human presence on the mountain, yet it is marked from it's neighbor. Mauna Loa has spilled lava from the 1935 flow onto the model's SE corner.