🌋VolcanoAtlas

Kilauea

The World's Most Active Shield Volcano

Elevation

1,222 m

Last Eruption

2025

Type

Shield volcano

Country

United States

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Lava flows and fountaining
  • Volcanic gas emissions
  • Local explosive activity

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity1 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

USGS Volcano Hazards Program
Comprehensive monitoring network
Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database
USGS Volcano Hazards
U.S. Geological Survey

Related Volcanoes

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Hawaii
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a scenic view of a lake surrounded by trees

oskar holm

via Unsplash

Fiery lava erupts from a volcano during an eruption.

James Lee

via Unsplash

Volcanic eruption spewing smoke and lava under a blue sky.

James Lee

via Unsplash

Other Volcanoes in United States

Interesting Facts

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Kilauea's 1983–2018 Pu'u 'Ō'ō eruption lasted 35 years and produced approximately 4.4 km³ of lava — enough to pave a two-lane road encircling the Earth more than five times.

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The 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption destroyed over 700 homes and structures, making it the most destructive volcanic event in the United States since the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

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During the 2018 summit collapse, Halema'uma'u Crater dropped by over 500 m (1,640 ft) through 62 collapse events, each generating a magnitude 5.0+ earthquake — fundamentally reshaping Kilauea's iconic caldera.

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Approximately 90% of Kilauea's surface is covered by lava flows less than 1,100 years old, and 70% is younger than 600 years — making it one of the youngest land surfaces on Earth.

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The 1959 Kilauea Iki eruption produced lava fountains reaching 580 m (1,900 ft) — the tallest ever recorded at a Hawaiian volcano and among the tallest anywhere on Earth.

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Kilauea's eruptions added approximately 2.3 km² (570 acres) of new land to the Big Island during the 1983–2018 eruption alone, with an additional 3.5 km² created by the 2018 Fissure 8 flows.

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The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, established on Kilauea's rim in 1912 by Thomas Jaggar, was the first permanent volcano observatory in the United States and pioneered the continuous monitoring approach now used worldwide.

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The 1790 explosive eruption killed an estimated 80+ Hawaiian warriors whose footprints were preserved in volcanic ash — footprints still visible today along the Footprints Trail in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

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Kilauea emitted approximately 50,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide per day during the peak of the 2018 Fissure 8 eruption — roughly 25 times its average daily rate during the Pu'u 'Ō'ō eruption.

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The lava lake that formed in Kilauea Iki crater during the 1959 eruption was approximately 120 m (400 ft) deep and took over 35 years to fully solidify.

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In 2024, Kilauea erupted three separate times — in June (Southwest Rift Zone), September (Napau Crater), and December (Halema'uma'u) — its most active year since the end of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō eruption.

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Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, which encompasses Kilauea, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and attracts approximately 1.3 million visitors per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kilauea still active?
Yes, Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It has erupted 75 times in the geological record and has been in a particularly active phase since 1952, with 32+ eruptions in that period. The most recent eruption began on December 23, 2024 at Halema'uma'u Crater in the summit caldera. From 1983 to 2018, Kilauea erupted continuously for 35 years from the Pu'u 'Ō'ō vent. Since the transformative 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption and summit collapse, the volcano has erupted five additional times (2020, 2021, June 2024, September 2024, December 2024), demonstrating that its magma supply from the Hawaiian hotspot remains vigorous. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continuously monitors the volcano and publishes daily status updates.
When did Kilauea last erupt?
Kilauea's most recent eruption began on December 23, 2024 at Halema'uma'u Crater within the summit caldera, producing lava flows on the crater floor. This was the fifth eruption since the major 2018 event, following eruptions in December 2020 (summit lava lake return), September 2021–January 2023 (sustained summit lava lake), June 2024 (brief Southwest Rift Zone eruption), and September 2024 (Napau Crater, middle East Rift Zone). The frequent recurrence of eruptions in 2024 indicates heightened volcanic activity as Kilauea's summit magma reservoir repressurises following the massive drainage of 2018.
What type of volcano is Kilauea?
Kilauea is a shield volcano — a broad, gently sloping volcanic edifice built almost entirely from fluid basaltic lava flows. Shield volcanoes are named for their resemblance to a warrior's shield laid on the ground, with very gentle slope angles (typically 2–10°) compared to the steep-sided profiles of stratovolcanoes like Vesuvius or Etna. Kilauea's basaltic magma is extremely fluid (temperatures of 1,100–1,200°C) and low in dissolved gas, so eruptions are typically effusive — producing lava flows, lava fountains, and lava lakes rather than the explosive blasts and pyroclastic flows characteristic of more viscous magma types. However, Kilauea can produce explosive eruptions when water interacts with the magma system, as occurred in 1790 (VEI 4) and 1924.
How many homes were destroyed in the 2018 Kilauea eruption?
The 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption destroyed over 700 homes and structures, primarily in the Leilani Estates and Kapoho Beach Lots subdivisions in the lower Puna district. The eruption opened 24 fissure vents beginning May 3, 2018, with Fissure 8 becoming the dominant vent, producing enormous volumes of fast-moving, highly fluid lava. Flows advanced through residential areas, burying entire neighbourhoods under lava up to 20 m thick. Kapoho Bay was entirely filled by lava. Thousands of residents were evacuated, and many have been unable to return as their properties lie beneath solidified lava. Remarkably, no one was killed, though one person was seriously injured by a lava bomb.
Can you visit Kilauea?
Yes, Kilauea is one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, lying entirely within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. The park is open 24/7, 365 days per year, with an entrance fee of $30 per vehicle. Highlights include Crater Rim Drive encircling the caldera, the Kilauea Iki Trail (crossing a solidified 1959 lava lake), Thurston Lava Tube, Devastation Trail, and Chain of Craters Road. During active eruptions, glow from the summit lava lake may be visible from multiple overlooks. Access to specific areas may be restricted during eruptions for safety. The park attracts approximately 1.3 million visitors annually and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is the difference between Kilauea and Mauna Loa?
Kilauea and Mauna Loa are both active shield volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii, but they differ significantly. Mauna Loa is vastly larger — the world's largest active volcano at 4,169 m (13,681 ft) elevation with a volume of approximately 75,000 km³, compared to Kilauea's 1,222 m and much smaller volume. However, Kilauea erupts far more frequently (75 recorded eruptions vs 33 for Mauna Loa) and has been the more persistently active of the two. Both are fed by the Hawaiian hotspot, and their magma systems appear to be hydraulically connected — periods of high activity at one often correlate with lower activity at the other. Kilauea was long thought to be a satellite vent of Mauna Loa but is now recognised as an independent volcanic system.
Why does Kilauea erupt so often?
Kilauea's extraordinary eruption frequency is driven by three factors. First, it sits directly above the Hawaiian hotspot, a deep mantle plume that supplies a large and continuous flow of magma to the volcano's shallow reservoir system. Second, its magma is extremely fluid basalt with relatively low gas content, meaning pressure builds and releases easily through frequent, relatively gentle effusive eruptions rather than accumulating to explosive levels. Third, the volcano's well-developed rift zone system — extending over 125 km along the East Rift Zone — provides abundant pathways for magma to reach the surface. The combination of robust supply, low-viscosity magma, and multiple available conduits makes Kilauea one of the most persistently active volcanoes on Earth.
Is Kilauea dangerous?
Kilauea poses real hazards, though different from explosive volcanoes like Vesuvius. The primary threat is lava flows, which can destroy homes and infrastructure — as demonstrated by the 2018 eruption that destroyed over 700 structures. Additional hazards include toxic volcanic gas (SO₂ creating 'vog'), laze (hydrochloric acid mist where lava enters the sea), ground cracking along rift zones, rare explosive eruptions at the summit, and unstable lava benches that can collapse without warning. Approximately 50,000 people live in lava flow hazard zones on Kilauea's flanks. However, lava flows generally advance slowly enough for evacuation, and the volcano is intensively monitored by the USGS, providing early warning of changing conditions.
How tall is Kilauea?
Kilauea's summit stands 1,222 m (4,009 ft) above sea level, making it relatively modest compared to neighbouring Mauna Loa (4,169 m) or Mauna Kea (4,207 m). However, the above-sea-level measurement dramatically understates Kilauea's true size. The volcano extends approximately 5,000 m (16,400 ft) below sea level to the ocean floor, and the ocean floor itself is depressed by the weight of the Hawaiian volcanic chain, giving Kilauea a true base-to-summit height exceeding 6,000 m. The summit elevation changes slightly with eruptions: the 2018 caldera collapse lowered portions of the caldera floor by over 500 m, while subsequent eruptions have been gradually refilling the crater.
What is vog?
Vog (volcanic smog) is a form of air pollution created when sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emitted by Kilauea reacts with oxygen and moisture in the atmosphere, forming tiny sulphuric acid droplets and sulphate particles. During active eruptions, Kilauea can emit thousands of tonnes of SO₂ daily (peaking at approximately 50,000 tonnes/day during the 2018 Fissure 8 eruption). Prevailing trade winds carry vog to the leeward (western) side of the Big Island, particularly affecting the Kona coast, and occasionally to neighbouring islands. Health effects include respiratory irritation, aggravation of asthma, and headaches. Vog also damages crops, corrodes metal, and reduces visibility. The Hawaii Department of Health monitors vog levels and issues health advisories during periods of heavy volcanic emissions.