Halema’uma’u Crater, Kilauea overlook.
In Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii, you can stand and watch the Kilauea Volcano violently spew molten lava. An active volcano on the island’s south eastern side, this hot spot called Kilauea, in one way or another, dominates the entire island.
The Big Island, larger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined, has five volcanoes. Three are currently active, one is dormant, and one is extinct. Of the three active volcanoes, Kilauea (pronounced kill-ah-way-ah) is the most active.
The other two active volcanoes on the Big Island: Mauna Loa and Hualalai (see map below).
Close-up, Halema’uma’u Crater at Kilauea Volcano. The flames are lava.
There are many craters, vents, and lava tubes surrounding Kilauea.
Kilauea (meaning “spew” or “much spreading” in Hawaiian) is 300,000 to 600,000 years old; it emerged from under the sea approximately 100,000 years ago. The first well-documented eruption occurred in 1823, though verbal stories go back much farther. It continues to erupt to this day.
Lava Tube, Big Island. Open and lit for tours.
The current Kilauea lava explosions of today began on January 3, 1983. Amazingly, it has continued to erupt for 33 years. One of the longest-duration volcanic eruptions in the world, it has added 499 acres (202 ha) of land to the island.
Since 1983 towns and villages have been obliterated, 214 structures were buried, and nine miles of highway were decimated by lava 115 feet (35m) thick.
Historically, some years are explosive, other years are not. From 1823 to 1924 Halema’uma’u Crater (Hawaiian for “house of eternal fire”) was a lake of lava. Sometimes the crater was so full of molten lava that it overflowed, spilling rivers of fiery lava across the caldera.
Then in 1924, underground contact between magma and groundwater set off violent steam explosions. One explosion hurled an 8 ton (8,128 kg) boulder 1,000 feet (304 m) into the air. More Kilauea info here.
In addition to the volcanic eruptions that burn down forests and smother struggling plant growth, this animated landscape of constant tectonic movement creates earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic fog.
Photo of Kilauea Halema’uma’u Crater in 1924. From: The Big Island by Glen Grant et al.
To see the spurting geysers of red-hot lava, you can hire a helicopter. Less expensive, a visit to the Jaggar Museum; it provides ample information about Kilauea’s activities over the centuries, and good views of Halema’uma’u Crater.
View from Volcano House. Photo W.Nowicki. Courtesy Wikipedia.
Lodging at Volcano House, a historic lodge on the edge of Kilauea, is another way to see the volcano. Beautifully renovated, they hosted many famous guests including Mark Twain and president Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Hawaiian mythical legend embraces Pele, the goddess of fire. It is said that she resides inside the Halema’uma’u Crater.
Kilauea cone Pu’u’O’o, 1983. Photo: G.E. Ulrich, USGS. Courtesy Wikipedia
As we watched the hot lava flaring up, fuming, and spurting inside this crater, we saw an amazing fiery spectacle.
It is the most primal form of heat this planet has…and it’s alive and volatile and wildly beautiful.
Kilauea Iki Crater with hikers on trail
Photo credit: Athena Alexander, unless otherwise specified
Five volcanoes of The Big Island. Courtesy Wikipedia
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Hawaiian Islands, The Big Island in red. Courtesy Wikipedia.
Cool, or should I say hot, post. I am reminded of my geology studies. The magma plume from the core under the Hawaiian archipelago doesn’t move. The Earth’s plate is moving over the plume creating new islands as it passes over the plume – burning holes in the plate.
Interesting note on the underground plume, Sherry, thank you. I find it all fascinating, this geological aspect of Hawaii, and then seeing the hot lava shooting out of the earth, well that just intensifies and underscores the beauty of this hotspot on earth. Thank you~~
On a map you can see the path of the plate – new to old islands. There is a new island developing under the ocean.
Satellite maps and underwater drawings are intriguing; interesting that a new island is developing, too. Thanks Sherry.
Just amazing the power of nature. Id love to see one up close, but…..!!!! 😉
Your comment made me smile, that “but” says it all. Thanks for stopping by, Morgan.
Enjoy your break Jet. 👍🏻☺
Thanks John, so much. 🙂
I didn’t understand that last photo at first – and then I saw those little ants, sorry, people walking across at the bottom. Seems a bit mad to me but I assume it is safe enough . . . or is it?
The lava tube is really cool! Have fun while you’re away 🙂
It’s so difficult to capture the immensity of the craters, so I was glad she got the tiny ant people in there for perspective. That crater with the people in it is safe currently, it erupted in 1959. Crazy place, isn’t it, Alastair? Thank you as always for your comments, visit, and good wishes.
Looking forward to seeing this volcano one day. Have a wonderful break Jet – catch you next month!😀
I hope you do see the volcanoes one day. Most people who go to the Hawaiian Islands don’t spend a lot of time around the volcanoes, the beaches are a bigger draw. But the volcanoes are such an interesting and prevailing part of Hawaii. Thanks for the good wishes, Joanne.
I’d take a volcano over a beach ANY day!
I love volcanos, and would like to see this one some day. The only one’s I’ve seen were in the Cascades and Alaska, but one of the Alaska ones was active and kept my plane grounded for days. Have a wonderful break, and I look forward to your return.
I love them too, Craig, and then you get them active and they really command the surroundings. Crazy that your plane was grounded for multiple days. Thank you — see you soon~~
Yup, Mt. Spar seemed to send the ash plume right over Anchorage airport, until it didn’t and we slipped out in the middle of the night. We were lucky to get on the plane too, other people had the same problem.
This is something I definitely hope to see one day Jet. So fascinating and I can hardly believe the stats of how much the lava has swallowed up over time.
Wishing you a very restful break and looking forward to your stories when you return!
Those stats about lava and the hurling boulder too, they do say a lot, don’t they, Sue? Many thanks for your visit and good wishes — always a joy.
Interesting thoughts and great pictures! I was fascinated by the volcanic activity on the Big Island – I agree there’s a primal attraction in a volatile and vibrant lava flow!
Thanks Amy, I’m glad Kilauea caught your interest like it did for me. I was a bit surprised at my utter delight in seeing the bright red lava. Quite amazing.
Not to get into politics, but I can’t help but think how chillingly appropriate your topic is for this day.
You are astute, Gunta. The topic was not an accident. But I won’t go into it. We move on, just like the plants and animals surrounding volcanoes. Many thanks my friend — see you soon. 🙂
Thanks for this blog, have a good break Jet!
Hi Bertie — I’m so glad you enjoyed Kilauea today, and many thanks, as always, for your visit and kind words.
Wonderful photos and interesting post. Enjoy your break!
It’s a different side to Hawaii, and a joy to share it. Thank you, ACI, your visit and warm wishes are appreciated.
Fascinating Jet! I’ve never been up close to a volcano. I love the photo of the crater with the hikers on it … It really puts it into perspective.
Have a great break 😃
There’s a special fern that grows in this area and when you hike around here it is wonderfully uplifting to see this gorgeous fern growing up through the lava. It’s a fun experience to be in the world of volcanoes, but only if they quiet or far away, as you can imagine. I’m happy to bring it to you today, Val.
Didn’t realize there was a hotel so close to the volcanos, wow.
I hadn’t either, Jan. Although we didn’t stay there, they allow the public to walk through the lobby and out onto the back verandah which has a vast view of nothing but the crater and the surrounding cliff walls. It’s magnificent. Glad to share Kilauea with you, though I have the feeling you have been here. You know Hawaii well. Mahalo!
Nice post. It brought up memories of my time at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It was awesome to hike into Kilauea Iki Crater among other neat hikes through lava fields. Thanks.
They do have some truly lovely hikes around there, I am glad you have enjoyed them, Keng. Thank you for stopping by!
Fascinating power, Jet! Have a wonderful break! 🙂
That kind of power, coming from inside the earth, there is nothing else like it. So glad you enjoyed Kilauea here today, Donna. Thank you~~
It scares me to get so close to those volcanoes because you never know when they will really explode like Mt. St. Helens. Enjoy your time away!!!
When we visited the Jagger Museum, there was also an observatory. There is amazing science now regarding volcanoes and their underground activities. So I don’t think they explode without some kind of notice, but of course, I’m no expert. Maybe that week was my lucky week and it blew up right after we left. Nature has a way of being unpredictable, it’s true. Thanks Bill~
Have a good break, Jet. Enjoy your trip and look forward to more exciting stories and great photos! 🙂
There’s always great stories to tell, it’s a pleasure to share them with you, Iris. Many thanks!
Great post!
Thank you Kendall!
Welcome!
An interesting post once again. All those eruptions south of the border, and not all are anywhere near as interesting or grand like the volcanic activity you’ve shared here. Lovely timing!
Enjoy your break!
It’s a wonderful place for hiking there at Kilauea and Volcanoes NP, pc. You and Mrs. PC would have great fun here. I’m glad I could give you a glimpse of this vast lava world, pc. As always, thank you so much. BTW, I am still enjoying Frank’s Powder Philosophy — many thanks!
Great post, Jet! Enjoy reading the background info.
Enjoy your break!
Thank you so much, Amy…or I should say, mahalo. I know you’ve enjoyed Hawaii in the past, I am glad to augment with the Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island.
Great post and very informative…I have had the pleasure of visiting there a couple of times and actually saw part of the highway buried on trip two that was still exposed on trip one…hiking down into the crater onthe path is a very humbling experience…as always thanks for sharing!!
I had that same experience, Kirt. The Chain of Craters Road was much more accessible the first time, in the early 90s, then we visited the same road two months ago, and wow, it was gone! Took that hike to the petroglyphs, too. I love The Big Island, don’t you? Many thanks, my friend~~
I really do and I truly think part of that appeal is seeing the process that created the chain of islands up close and personal!! Again thanks for sharing!!
What a coincidence! I have been searching for information about the Big Island, and you wrote about it! Thank you, Jet!
Hi Indah, I just got back from a trip, thus the delayed response. The Big Island is my favorite of all the Hawaiian Islands, and I’ve been there six or more times. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I’m glad this post provided you with info…fortunate timing.
Hi Jet, thank you! I just bought the flight ticket to Kona for April trip. I am planning to scuba dive for 3 days and 3 days exploring the island – i hope 6 days would be enough for 1st visit..Do you recommend to stay near to the volcano? Will send you further message via email later on 🙂
Oh what fun Indah! Our favorite Big Island experiences include both sides of the island, the Kona side, and the Volcano side. It takes several hours to get from one side to the other, so we stay on the Kona side in a condo on the beach when we’re snorkeling and enjoying water adventures; and then stay near Volcanoes Nat’l. Park when visiting Kilauea. So yes, when visiting the volcano, stay near the volcano. We have stayed at Kilauea Lodge in Volcano, Hawaii many times and enjoy it a lot. Link: http://kilauealodge.com/ Aloha!
Have a great time, Jet, and see (read?) you again soon. RH
Very interesting and informative post, Jet! Nature’s power is amazing. I have only witnessed relatively small eruptions of Etna in Sicily. I hope you are having a great time away!
I’m glad you enjoyed the Kilauea Volcano post, Helen. I just returned, and thank you, it was a wonderful vacation. You know how trips go, the camera hasn’t been uploaded yet and we’re just settling back in, but soon some new posts will appear. How wonderful for you to have seen Mt. Etna in Sicily….
Beautiful photos…Big island, hmmm, now i remember Hawaii. Time to say aloha to my memories. Thanks for sharing this Jet.
Thanks for stopping by, Joel, I’m glad you enjoyed the Kilauea post. Mahalo!
You’re welcome Jet. I have fond memories of visiting Hawaii. Thanks for sharing your experience. Mahalo!
🙂
This is amazing! Loved this post, Jet! 🙂
It’s a joy to bring Kilauea to you, Carol — thank you for your fun comment.
Incredibly interesting post with great photos to accompany the descriptions. We spent six years living in Nicaragua, which has quite a few active and inactive volcanoes and that was definitely an eye opening experience for me having had no previous “encounters” with them.
Looks like a great place to hike just as the volcanoes on the Island of Ometeppe in Nicaragua are.
Peta
I’m glad you enjoyed the Kilauea Volcano post, Peta; and I enjoyed hearing about your life with Nicaragua volcanoes. Volcanoes are such a powerful presence….
PRIMAL is a perfect way to describe volcanoes. Last month we were fortunate to be able to see Kilauea at night from the sea. Magnificent.
Ah, what a splendid sight: Kilauea at night from the sea. The beauties of Hawaii just keep dazzling, don’t they Nan? Mahalo!
I love volkanoes… Thanks for the interesting facts. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a nice time! Simone
Happy to share the beauty of Kilauea with you, Simone. Thanks so much for your visit and comment~~
Informative post coupled with your great shots!
Thanks so much, Elena, I’m happy you enjoyed a visit to Kilauea Volcano. 🙂
Not too sure if I would be adventurous enough to get that close. Those hikers are nuts IMO. Oh my gosh! Beautiful photos and I was fascinated by the history you provided. Thank you, Jet! 💖
Thanks so much, Amy, for your great comments — I’m glad you enjoyed the vicarious visit to the Kilauea Volcano. 🙂
Very informative post – and awesome pictures. Thank you!
Thanks for stopping by Cecilia, I’m glad you enjoyed Kilauea Volcano.
It all sounds a bit of a nightmare, Jet, but I believe it’s a stunningly beautiful island. You must have enjoyed it! 🙂 🙂
It’s astonishingly beautiful, Jo, not a nightmare at all. Thanks for stopping by.
I studied Volcanism in my Geological classes but have never seen one. Thanks for explaining!
Oh so nice to hear from you, Wayne. I’m glad you enjoyed the volcanos of the Big Island. If you ever want to see what you studied in volcanism, the Big Island is a great place to go. Many thanks, my friend~~
you always have such amazing adventures Jet!
I think you have great adventures, too, Wayne~~
beautiful Jet!
happy you stayed
away from the heat 🙂
The colors, power, and action of a volcano are truly mesmerizing, but whoa, only from a distance. I’m happy you enjoyed the beauty of it, David. I appreciate that you find beauty in everything on this earth. My thanks for your visit.
Eek… but very interesting!
I love the power of volcanos, and their expression of the earth; and I’m delighted you found it interesting, Resa. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Thank you Jet! Your post reminded me that I have to put Big Island on my list.
Oh yes, definitely put the Big Island on your list, Hien. I recommend visiting Volcanoes National park on the east side, as well as the west coast around Kona and environs. There are many other wonderful spots on the Big Island, but these two vicinities are my favorites.
Amazing photo of the red-hot volcano. We’ve seen a few volcanoes, but only smoke coming from them. Hubby would be excited to see this.
Hi Sylvia. Yes, I had seen smoking volcanoes up to that point, too, and then when we spotted the spuming red lava…whoa, I was in complete amazement. Fun to share it with you and your husband.