Kilauea: Now and Throughout History

Images from USGS

Brief History

  • Kilauea is the youngest volcano on Hawai'i and also the most active, with its current eruption cycle beginning in 1983
  • The most recent eruption started on May 3, 2018 and continued erupting until mid-August when it began to slow and has since been under a watch status in case of a re-eruption.
  • Kilauea is an example of a shield volcano, which is a volcano named for its broad shape.
  • Kilauea is said to be the home of Pele, a Hawaiian goddess and creator of the Hawaiian islands.
  • Thousands of acres of land have been added to the Hawaiian islands because of volcanic eruptions, and approximately 875 acres of land have been added with the eruption in 2018, according to USGS data. 

USGS information and monitoring

Lava flow from fissure 8 of Kilauea- June 18, 2018

Animated GIF showing lava flowing out of a fissureCredit: USGS

USGS Page Chronicling the eruption this summer

How the eruption has changed Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park