Kilauea, which is the youngest volcano and is located on the southern flank of the island.

Mauna Loa and Kilauea have proved to be among the most active volcanoes in the world. Historical accounts from native Hawaiians, missionaries, scientists, and others indicate that 48 eruptions have taken place on Mauna Loa since 1832 and more than 70 eruptions on Kilauea since 1790. These eruptions have lasted anywhere from hours to years. The longest on record was a lava lake in Halemaumau crater on Kilauea, which was active nearly continuously from the early 1800’s to 1924. Presently, Kilauea has been erupting since January 1983, occasionally producing spectacular fire fountains and rivers of lava that have flowed into the sea.

In rare instances, however, groundwater mixes with magma, resulting in steam explosions. In 1790, such an eruption killed about 80 people when a band of native warriors and their family members became engulfed in hot gases and burning cinders spewed from Kilauea.

A line of fire fountains on the east rift of Kilauea

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An eruption on Kilauea

A fire fountain eruption on Kilauea

A lava lake on Kilauea