Eruptions of KīlaueaListed below are just a few of the most recent and spectacular eruptions of this highly active volcano. Learn more about Kīlauea, the youngest volcano on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
1919-1920 Eruption of Maunaiki
The Maunaiki eruption in the Kaʻū Desert lasted from December 1919 to August 1920. 
1924 Explosive Eruption of Kīlauea
For 18 days in 1924, hundreds of steam explosions from Kīlauea hurled mud, debris, and boulders great distances. 
1952 Summit Eruption
The 1952 eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano lasted for 136 days. 
1954 Summit Eruption
The short eruption of 1954 was not specifically predicted, but it was not unexpected. 
1959 Eruption of Kīlauea Iki
The 1959 eruption out of Kīlauea Iki Crater featured a lake of lava and the highest lava fountains ever recorded. 
1961 Summit Eruption
Halemaʻumaʻu crater hosted three eruptive phases during a seven month period of sporadic activity in 1961. 
1967-1968 Summit Eruption
The spectacular eruption of 1967-1968 lasted 251 days. 
1969-1974 Eruption of Maunaulu
The eruption of Maunaulu lasted nearly five years and reshaped the landscape. 
July 1974 Summit Eruption
The three-day eruption in July 1974 sent flows across Chain of Craters Road and into Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) 
1983-2018 Eruption of Puʻuʻōʻō
In the past 500 years, no rift zone eruption comes close to matching the duration of the one that began in 1983. 
2008-2018 Summit Eruption
The summit of Kīlauea hosted a lava lake-style eruption for a decade before the massive summit collapse in 2018. 
2018 Eruption and Summit Collapse
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. 
September 2021-2022 Summit Eruption
A 300-acre lava lake delights park visitors with mesmerizing lava views once more since 2018. 
January 2023 Summit Eruption
A magnificent 61-day eruption that left park visitors in awe. 
June 2023 Summit Eruption
An intense 13-day eruption that illuminated the night sky with towering lava fountains and a lake of incandescent lava. 
September 2023 Summit Eruption
Learn about the recent six-day eruption that started on September 10, 2023. Eruptions of Mauna LoaRead about some of the more recent and notable eruptions of Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet. Learn more about Mauna Loa.
1868 Eruption of Mauna Loa
One of the deadliest disasters in Hawaiian history 
1880-1881 Eruption of Mauna Loa
An eruption that threatened the city of Hilo and saw the first known attempts at lava diversion in Hawaiʻi 
1935 Eruption of Mauna Loa
As the 1935 eruption began to close in on Hilo, aerial bombing was employed in an attempt to alter its course 
1942 Eruption of Mauna Loa
An eruption that was declared a "secret" during World War II. 
1950 Eruption of Mauna Loa
In June 1950, Mauna Loa sent large lava flows to the sea with blazing speed. 
1975 Eruption of Mauna Loa
The brief but spectacular eruption of 1975 lasted less than 24 hours 
1984 Eruption of Mauna Loa
The 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa that ended 4 miles away from the town of Hilo. 
2022 Mauna Loa Eruption
Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in nearly 40 years. Learn More About LavaMolten lava is only visible during an eruption, but its solidified form makes up the island of Hawaiʻi. |
Last updated: October 30, 2023