Eruptive History

History of Kīlauea

Kīlauea Volcano is a shield volcano on the eastern slope of Mauna Loa Volcano, on the island of Hawai'i. It is considered to be in the shield-building stage of Hawaiian volcanism.

Kīlauea first erupted above sea level about 50,000 to 70,000 years ago. However, geologists' current research shows that the first lava flows erupted onto the ocean floor between 210,000 and 280,000 years ago, with some submarine eruptions dating between 300,000 and 600,000 years ago.

There has been a long history of explosive lava flows over the last 2,500 years. 2,200 years ago the caldera collapsed causing 1,200 years of explosive eruptions.

Lava flows began about 1,000 years ago, after 1,200 years of explosive eruptions. Lava completely filled the summit caldera, then overflowed to form a new shield: the Observatory shield, in place of the caldera.

Kīlauea's most recent explosive period lasted 300 years with lava fountains likely more than 600 m high, and ended in the early 19th century.

Historical Eruptions

1919 - 1920 Eruption of Maunaiki

Lasted from December 1919 to August 1920.

1952 Summit Eruption

The 136-day summit eruption of 1952 produced roaring fountains and a lava lake that provided dramatic views for those who came to witness it.

1967-1968 Summit Eruption

Over 31 eruptive phases, the 1967-1968 summit eruption pumped 84 million cubic meters of lava into Halemaʻumaʻu Crater. The eruption lasted 251 days with seething fountains, a lava lake, and stunning rivulets of molten rock.

1969-1974 Eruption of Maunaulu

The Maunaulu eruption changed much of the terrain around Chain of Craters Road and the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea. Taking place from May 24th, 1969 to July 22nd, 1974, lasting aproximately five years.

1983-2018 Eruption of Puʻuʻōʻō

The longest lasting rift zone eruption of Kīlauea in five centuries, lasting nearly 35 years. From 1983 to 2018, Puʻuʻōʻō went through dramatic growth and many small collapses during the course of the eruption. Its summit continues to collapse and settle now that the eruption has ceased.

2008-2018 Summit Eruption

The summit of Kīlauea hosted a lava lake-style eruption for a decade before the massive summit collapse in 2018. The eruption of Kīlauea in 2018 was the largest in centuries and coincided with a dramatic summit collapse.

2020-2021 Summit Eruption

The first summit eruption following the collapse of Halemaʻumaʻu crater marked a significant geological event. Kīlauea Volcano began erupting on December 20, 2020, and after 5 months of activity, a decrease in effusion indicated that the eruption in Halema‘uma‘u at the summit of Kīlauea was going to pause. The water lake that had existed at the summit of Kīlauea in 2019 boiled away.

December 2024 Summit Eruption

On the morning of December 23, Kīlauea volcano began erupting, this is the most recent eruption and is still ongoing as of today.

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