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- Kīlauea (Hawaii)
Kilauea is an active shield volcano located on Hawaiian Island and it is also the most active among the 5 volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii. Kilauea has been in a constant state of eruption since 1983. The volcano rises above 1,227 metres above sea level. On May 3, 2018, a number of fissures opened up in Leilani Estates, sending lava skyward.
Location: | Big Island, Hawaii |
Coordinates: | 19.407666, -155.283485 |
Volcano Type: | Shield Volcano |
Kilauea’s Location:
Kilauea’s Latest Status
2024: Alert Level Advisory. Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level.
Kilauea’s Eruptive History
1823 | First, well-documented eruption |
1840 | May- The largest East Rift eruption known. More than 7 billion cubic feet of lava erupted. The eruption started near the summit, before extending down the entire East Rift zone (35km). Extensive lava flows |
1919 | Halemaumau’s lava lake drained, generating a lava flow of 20km |
1924 | Untravulcanian eruptions across both the Southwestern and East Rift Zones |
1952 | After a quiet period, a huge lava fountain (245m) erupted at Halemaumau. The eruption lasted 136 days |
1954-59 | Ongoing eruptions |
1960 | Large, phreatic eruption and accompanying lava flow |
1983 | Jan – Eruption began along the East Rift Zone with vigorous lava fountaining. The Puʻu ʻŌʻō cone was created |
1986 | The lava flow shifted from Puʻu ʻŌʻō to a new vent (Kūpaʻianahā) |
1992 | The lava flow shifted back to Puʻu ʻŌʻō |
2016 | Extreme Pursuit observed the 61G lava flow and firehose |
2018 | Rapid inflation of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō with crater flow collapse. On May 3, new fissures erupted in the Leilani Estate area. Extreme Pursuit was in Leilani during this time and witnessed fire fountaining and fast moving lava flows. |
2020 | Three new fissures opened up in the Halema‘uma‘u crater. The existing water lake evaporated within 30 minutes. A lake lake is now present. |
2021 | New opening of fissures within the summit crater of Halemaʻumaʻu that lasts many months. |
2022 | April: Lava returns to Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Lava remains active until the eruption ceased in December |
2023 | Lava returned, however the eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater has again stopped. The lava is no longer active. |
2024 | December: Kīlauea erupted at 2 a.m. within Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with lava fountains creating a spectacular display. |
Kilauea Monitoring
For monitoring of United States Volcanoes, please refer to USGS.
Kilauea Images
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