Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano

Source: TOI

Context: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted again, sending lava over 300 feet high into the air, marking its ninth eruption episode since December 2024.

About Kilauea Volcano:

• Location of Kilauea Volcano:

• Situated on the southeastern shore of Hawaii’s Big Island, approximately 200 miles southeast of Honolulu. Part of the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain, formed by the Hawaiian hotspot.

• Situated on the southeastern shore of Hawaii’s Big Island, approximately 200 miles southeast of Honolulu.

• Part of the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain, formed by the Hawaiian hotspot.

• Features of Kilauea Volcano

• Type: Shield volcano, known for effusive lava flows rather than explosive eruptions. Age: Estimated to be 210,000 to 280,000 years old, emerging above sea level around 100,000 years ago. Structure: Large caldera (Halemaʻumaʻu Crater) at its summit.

• Type: Shield volcano, known for effusive lava flows rather than explosive eruptions.

• Age: Estimated to be 210,000 to 280,000 years old, emerging above sea level around 100,000 years ago.

• Structure: Large caldera (Halemaʻumaʻu Crater) at its summit.

• Large caldera (Halemaʻumaʻu Crater) at its summit.

• Other Major Volcanoes in the Hawaiian Region:

• Mauna Loa: Largest active volcano on Earth by volume. Shares magma plumbing system with Kilauea. Last erupted in November 2022 after a 38-year dormancy. Mauna Kea: Tallest mountain (from base to peak) in the world at 33,500 feet (10,210 m). Considered dormant, with its last eruption around 4,500 years ago. Hualālai: Third most active volcano on Hawaiian Big Island. Last erupted in 1801, with future eruptions predicted. Lo‘ihi Seamount: Underwater volcano southeast of Big Island, emerging as the next Hawaiian island in the coming millennia.

• Mauna Loa: Largest active volcano on Earth by volume. Shares magma plumbing system with Kilauea. Last erupted in November 2022 after a 38-year dormancy.

• Largest active volcano on Earth by volume.

• Shares magma plumbing system with Kilauea.

• Last erupted in November 2022 after a 38-year dormancy.

• Mauna Kea: Tallest mountain (from base to peak) in the world at 33,500 feet (10,210 m). Considered dormant, with its last eruption around 4,500 years ago.

• Tallest mountain (from base to peak) in the world at 33,500 feet (10,210 m).

• Considered dormant, with its last eruption around 4,500 years ago.

• Hualālai: Third most active volcano on Hawaiian Big Island. Last erupted in 1801, with future eruptions predicted.

• Third most active volcano on Hawaiian Big Island.

• Last erupted in 1801, with future eruptions predicted.

• Lo‘ihi Seamount: Underwater volcano southeast of Big Island, emerging as the next Hawaiian island in the coming millennia.

• Underwater volcano southeast of Big Island, emerging as the next Hawaiian island in the coming millennia.