Kīlauea is the world's most active volcano, situated on the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is a prominent feature within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The volcano is an elongated dome formed by lava eruptions from its central crater and from fissure systems along its east and southwest rifts. Kīlauea's summit features a caldera, a broad, shallow depression approximately 3 miles (5 km) long and 2 miles (3.2 km) wide. Its slopes blend into those of the larger Mauna Loa volcano to the west and north. Kīlauea has a history of frequent, often non-explosive eruptions, with its most active vent located in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

Where is Kilauea located?

Kilauea is located on the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii, within the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is a prominent feature of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This active volcano is an elongated dome formed by lava eruptions from its central crater and fissures along its east and southwest rifts. Kilauea's summit is 4,090 feet (1,250 meters) high and features a caldera, a broad, shallow depression. The volcano's slopes blend with those of the nearby Mauna Loa volcano.

What type of volcano is Kilauea?

Kilauea, located on the island of Hawaii, is classified as a shield volcano . Shield volcanoes are characterized by their broad, rounded shape, built up by numerous eruptions of very fluid lava. Kilauea's slopes are gentle, and its summit features a caldera, which is a large, collapsed crater. This type of volcano is typically composed of basalt and is known for its effusive, rather than explosive, eruptions. Kilauea has been particularly active, with eruptions occurring frequently since 1983.

How often does Kilauea erupt?

Kilauea is the world's most active volcano, located on the island of Hawaii. Its frequent eruptions are typically nonexplosive, often appearing as a boiling lake of lava within its central crater. While Kilauea has a history of significant eruptions, including a destructive event in 1955 and explosive activity in 2018, its eruptions are generally contained within the caldera. In contrast, Mauna Loa, a nearby volcano, erupts on average every three and a half years with fountains and streams of lava. Mauna Loa last erupted in 2022.

How has Kilauea affected the land and people of Hawaii?

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has significantly shaped the land and people of Hawaii. Its frequent eruptions, primarily non-explosive lava flows, have created new landmasses, notably along the southern shore where lava reached the sea. However, these eruptions have also caused destruction, with lava flows in 1955 and 1990 devastating sugarcane fields, orchards, and even burying the historic community of Kalapana. In 2018, a series of eruptions in the east rift zone opened fissures that destroyed residential neighborhoods and released sulfur dioxide gas, accompanied by an explosive eruption that sent ash plumes high into the atmosphere. Historically, a steam explosion in 1790 killed part of a Hawaiian army, and a 1975 eruption was followed by a destructive tsunami.

Why is Kilauea important to scientists and Hawaiian culture?

Kilauea is significant to scientists as the world's most active volcano, offering invaluable insights into volcanic processes and Earth's geology. Its frequent, often non-explosive eruptions provide a unique opportunity for volcanological study, including monitoring magma movement and gas emissions. For Hawaiian culture, Kilauea is deeply intertwined with the legend of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. The volcano is considered her home, and its eruptions are viewed as manifestations of her power and presence. This spiritual connection makes Kilauea a sacred site and an integral part of Hawaiian identity and tradition.

Kilauea

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Bright orange lava and thick white smoke rise from the crater of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, viewed from above with the surrounding dark landscape visible.

Map showing the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, with the location of Kilauea volcano marked on the southeastern side of the island of Hawaii. An inset globe at the top right highlights the region's position in the Pacific.

Behold magma eruptions from Earth's core ushering lava rivers down Kilauea in Hawaii

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Kilauea summary

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Also called:: Mount Kilauea

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Kilauea

volcano, Hawaii, United States

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Top Questions

What is Kilauea?
Kīlauea is the world's most active volcano, situated on the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is a prominent feature within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The volcano is an elongated dome formed by lava eruptions from its central crater and from fissure systems along its east and southwest rifts. Kīlauea's summit features a caldera, a broad, shallow depression approximately 3 miles (5 km) long and 2 miles (3.2 km) wide. Its slopes blend into those of the larger Mauna Loa volcano to the west and north. Kīlauea has a history of frequent, often non-explosive eruptions, with its most active vent located in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
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Where is Kilauea located?
Kilauea is located on the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii, within the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is a prominent feature of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This active volcano is an elongated dome formed by lava eruptions from its central crater and fissures along its east and southwest rifts. Kilauea's summit is 4,090 feet (1,250 meters) high and features a caldera, a broad, shallow depression. The volcano's slopes blend with those of the nearby Mauna Loa volcano.
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Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What type of volcano is Kilauea?
Kilauea, located on the island of Hawaii, is classified as a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are characterized by their broad, rounded shape, built up by numerous eruptions of very fluid lava. Kilauea's slopes are gentle, and its summit features a caldera, which is a large, collapsed crater. This type of volcano is typically composed of basalt and is known for its effusive, rather than explosive, eruptions. Kilauea has been particularly active, with eruptions occurring frequently since 1983.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How often does Kilauea erupt?
Kilauea is the world's most active volcano, located on the island of Hawaii. Its frequent eruptions are typically nonexplosive, often appearing as a boiling lake of lava within its central crater. While Kilauea has a history of significant eruptions, including a destructive event in 1955 and explosive activity in 2018, its eruptions are generally contained within the caldera. In contrast, Mauna Loa, a nearby volcano, erupts on average every three and a half years with fountains and streams of lava. Mauna Loa last erupted in 2022.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has Kilauea affected the land and people of Hawaii?
Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has significantly shaped the land and people of Hawaii. Its frequent eruptions, primarily non-explosive lava flows, have created new landmasses, notably along the southern shore where lava reached the sea. However, these eruptions have also caused destruction, with lava flows in 1955 and 1990 devastating sugarcane fields, orchards, and even burying the historic community of Kalapana. In 2018, a series of eruptions in the east rift zone opened fissures that destroyed residential neighborhoods and released sulfur dioxide gas, accompanied by an explosive eruption that sent ash plumes high into the atmosphere. Historically, a steam explosion in 1790 killed part of a Hawaiian army, and a 1975 eruption was followed by a destructive tsunami.
4 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is Kilauea important to scientists and Hawaiian culture?
Kilauea is significant to scientists as the world's most active volcano, offering invaluable insights into volcanic processes and Earth's geology. Its frequent, often non-explosive eruptions provide a unique opportunity for volcanological study, including monitoring magma movement and gas emissions.

For Hawaiian culture, Kilauea is deeply intertwined with the legend of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. The volcano is considered her home, and its eruptions are viewed as manifestations of her power and presence. This spiritual connection makes Kilauea a sacred site and an integral part of Hawaiian identity and tradition.
4 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

lava flowLava emerging from an elongated fissure in Kilauea's east rift zone during the volcano's 2018 eruption.

Kilauea, the world’s most active volcanic mass, located on the southeastern part of the island of Hawaii, Hawaii state, U.S. The central feature of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea (“Much Spreading” in Hawaiian), is an elongated dome built of lava eruptions from a central crater and from lines of craters extending along east and southwest rifts, or fissures. The volcano’s 4,090-foot (1,250-metre) summit has collapsed to form a caldera, a broad shallow depression nearly 3 miles (5 km) long and 2 miles (3.2 km) wide with an area of more than 4 square miles (10 square km). Kilauea’s slopes merge with those of the nearby volcano Mauna Loa on the west and north.

During the 19th century the main floor of Kilauea’s caldera went through several periods of lava filling and collapse. By 1919 it assumed its present depth of 500 feet (150 metres). The floor, paved with recent lava flows, contains the Halema‘uma‘u (“Fern House”) Crater, an inner crater that is Kilauea’s most active vent. Halema‘uma‘u is the legendary home of Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is at Uwēkahuna Bluff on the western rim of Kilauea, near Halema‘uma‘u.

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Kilauea’s frequent eruptions are usually nonexplosive and are contained within Halema‘uma‘u as a boiling lake of active lava, which sometimes rises and overflows along the floor and flanks of the caldera proper. In 1790, however, a paroxysmal steam explosion killed part of a Hawaiian army marching near the caldera. A less violent eruption in 1924 enlarged Halema‘uma‘u Crater to a depth of 1,300 feet (400 metres). In 1955 an eruption in the east rift, accompanied by a series of violent quakes, was one of the most destructive in the island’s history, with lava pouring from fissures over a period of 88 days, destroying more than 6 square miles (15 square km) of valuable sugarcane fields and orchards. A similar but shorter-lived occurrence in 1975 was followed by a destructive tsunami.

lava fountainLava fountains contributing to the lava flow in Kilauea's east rift zone during the volcano's 2018 eruption.

In a series of eruptions that began in 1983 and continued into the early 21st century, Kilauea produced a river of flowing lava that reached the sea 10 miles (16 km) south of the volcano. In 2018 a series of eruptions in the east rift opened several fissures that cut across residential neighbourhoods, releasing lava and clouds of sulfur dioxide gas; one eruption was explosive and sent a plume of volcanic ash some 30,000 feet (9,140 metres) into the air.

Kilauea Iki, a crater directly east of Kilauea, erupted spectacularly in 1959, creating a 400-foot- (120-metre-) deep lake of molten lava and Pu‘u Pua‘i (“Gushing Hill”), a cinder cone near its southern rim. The east rift zone supports numerous pit craters ending in Makaopuhi, with a depth of 1,000 feet (300 metres). Mauna Iki (elevation 3,032 feet [924 metres]), situated 6 miles (9.5 km) from Kilauea on the southwest rift zone, is a low volcanic dome in a desert area.

Kilauea is bordered by Mauna Loa volcano (west and north), the Ka‘ū Desert (southwest), ‘Āinahou Ranch (south), and a tropical fern jungle (north-northeast). The littoral Ka‘ū Desert consists of barren lava, crusted volcanic ash, and moving dunes of windblown ash and pumice 10–30 feet (3–9 metres) high. The Thurston Lava Tube, a 450-foot (135-metre) tunnel east of the caldera, was formed when a lava stream’s outer crust hardened while the molten lava continued its flow.

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