Kīlauea, Active volcano in Hawaii County, United States
Kīlauea stands 1,247 meters above sea level as part of a chain of five volcanoes that form Hawaii's largest island.
The volcano's documented eruption history began in 1823 when Reverend William Ellis became the first European to record observations at its summit.
Native Hawaiian traditions recognize this volcano as the physical manifestation of Pele, the goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanic forces.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors seismic activity, ground deformation, and gas emissions to predict potential eruption patterns and ensure visitor safety.
Continuous lava flows from Kīlauea have expanded the Big Island of Hawaii by creating more than 500 acres of new land mass.
Location: Hawaii County
Elevation above the sea: 1,247 m
Made from material: basalt
Website: http://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=332010
GPS coordinates: 19.41386,-155.27581
Latest update: November 28, 2025 15:55
This collection brings together active volcanoes located on multiple continents, from Cotopaxi in the Ecuadorian Andes to Mount Fuji in Japan, including Vesuvius in Italy and Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Each site demonstrates different geological processes: stratovolcanoes like Mount Saint Helens and Etna produce explosive eruptions, while Hawaiian shield volcanoes generate flowing lava that can travel long distances. The selection also includes sites that have marked history through their destructive power, such as Krakatoa, whose 1883 eruption caused tens of thousands of casualties, or Vesuvius, which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD 79. Other volcanoes like Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull have recently shown their ability to disrupt human activities globally. These locations offer insight into how volcanic activity shapes landscapes and influences nearby populations.
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Puʻu Kamoamoa
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Mauna Loa Lookout
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Hilina Pali Shelter
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Volcano Art Center
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Kīlauea Visitor Center
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