71 Kilauea Volcano Facts: Everything You Should Know About It!

The opening in Earth's crust through which lava, volcanic ashes, or gases escape is called a volcano's surface.

Volcanoes erupt due to partly driven pressure from dissolved gases. So before knowing about different volcanoes, let's understand what these are and why they occur? 

Just like the pressure that pushes the cork out of a champagne bottle, in the same way at the bottom of a volcano, magma (lava) is present, which pushes through the Earth's surface when the pressure inside builds up. Lava is a liquid containing dissolved gas that rises through Earth's crust if the Earth has cracks. Gas bubbles are formed when the lava flows rise as the pressure decreases. After crossing the Earth's crust layer, this lava touches the Earth's surface layer. How this lava flows react depends on its gas content and chemical composition. There are approximately 1350 active volcanoes worldwide, and about 1350 of them have erupted in the past. The U.S. Geological Survey says there are 26 active volcanoes globally.

If you liked our Kilauea volcano facts, you could read more exciting articles like Mount Kilimanjaro facts and the most dangerous volcanoes.

Fun Facts About Kilauea Volcano

Hawaii is one of the big Islands made up of five volcanoes. One of those is the Kilauea volcano, and it is one of the active volcanoes among the five of them.

In Hawaii, island Kohola volcano is the oldest of all as it is more than one million years old, and Kilauea is the youngest volcano (300,000 and 600,000 years old). It has been erupting continuously since 1983. The word Kilauea means 'spreading.' This is named because of its frequent lava flow. In the 1790 eruption, at least 80 people were killed. All these people were native Hawaiians, and the footprints of this eruption can be located at Hawaii Volcanoes National park. Most of Kilauea's lava lake is expected to be 1,000 years old. This volcano is situated along the Hawaii south shore, and it is estimated that it reached sea level about 100,000 years ago.

Interestingly, Kilauea's post-eruption formed an opening called the caldera. It is believed to be Hawaiian Pele's home who is known as Volcano goddess. Models and shapes for this volcano range from complex interconnected to still-shaped magma bodies having a single spherical lava body. The east rift zone is considered a long rift zone compared to others.

Geographical Facts About Kilauea Volcano

The Island of Hawaii is one the most geographically isolated land area on Earth because it is positioned more than 1864 mi (3000 km) from its nearest continental land area. The southern, eastern Volcano of Hawaiian island is Kilauea and its youngest among the remaining five Volcano's Kohala, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Mauna kea, respectively.

It is located along the southeastern part of the Hawaiian islands, near Volcano Mauna loa, considered the world's most gigantic active volcano. This volcano is believed to be a satellite of Mauna Loa. More than 37 mi (60 km) below the Earth's surface area, magma extends as it has its magma plumbing system. Long width dome is built of lava eruptions from the central crater, and these form lines of significant blow-shaped cavities extending along the southwest and east rift zone. By 1919 it was assumed that it was present at a depth is 492 ft (150 m). The Kilauea volcano is estimated to be about 4091 ft (1247 m) tall, whereas Mouna Kea is 1379 ft (4205 m) tall above sea level. Coming to some facts about the Kilauea volcano, the first U.S. president to visit Kilauea was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934, and he worshiped the volcano goddess.

Facts About Kilauea Volcano's Eruption History

Kilauea Volcano rises 4025 ft (1227 m) above sea level, and it covers about 14 percent of the land area of Hawaiian Big Island. It appears as a part of the Mauna Loa volcano, but data suggests that it is a separate volcano with its own system.

This volcano has been erupting once in a while since 1983. As per U.S. Geological Survey, it is predicted that this volcano had more than 60 eruptions. The formation of Hawaiian Island has two theories. Kilauea's eruptions have caused havoc and have destroyed more than 200 buildings. Royal garden subdivisions have been destroyed by the lava flowing from Kilauea. On May 3rd, 2018, the volcano's new eruption lasted for several hours, and an earthquake of 5.0 magnitude hit the big Island. Mandatory evacuations of Leilani Estates and Lanipuna gardens sub-divisions were made as new eruptions spewed lava into residential subdivisions in the Puna district. Halema'uma'u crater is the most active vent in Kilauea's caldera.

Facts About Kilauea Volcano's Location

Many consider Kilauea a mere satellite of the giant volcano located beside it, Mauna Loa, not a separate volcano. Kilauea is situated as only a tiny part on the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa.

Between the curving lines of Mauna Kea and Kohala volcanoes, the summit of Kilauea is situated. However, it excludes Mauna Loa. 10% of Kilauea's surface consists of rocks with a history of 1000 years. The younger rocks cover the remaining 90% of the volcano. Kilauea is considered to be 210000 to 280000 years old. In terms of structure, Kilauea has a significant recently formed hallow edge at its summit, and it has two active rift zones. The east rift zone is longer on land with 31 mi (50 km), and the other rift zone is 49 mi (80 km) below the level. The Southwest rift zone is not historically active. This volcano began a recent eruption in September 2021, and lava lake continues to erupt from a single vent located at the western wall.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy. If you liked our suggestions for '71 Kilauea volcano facts: Everything you should know about it,' why not look at famous composite volcanoes or the 1944 Vesuvius eruption.