Kīlauea Volcano
Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It is largely due to it that scientists call Hawaii the fastest-growing area on the surface – the lava erupted by this “fire mountain” solidifies on contact with Pacific waters and continues to form the shape of the largest island in the archipelago. The power and beauty of Kilauea’s eruptions attract many tourists to its slopes, who want to see the impressive spectacle with their own eyes.
Video: Kilauea Volcano
General Information
Facts about the volcano
The name of the young volcano translates from Hawaiian as “spewing,” and it lives up to its name, as it has been spewing streams of magma from the bowels of the planet virtually unabated since January 1983. Kilauea has several craters at once, and back in 2008 Halemaumau, which is located inside the impressive caldera at the very top, took over again.
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However, all of the above does not stop inquisitive tourists. A year Hawaii is visited by up to 3 million people, and many of them are attracted not by the beautiful beaches from the brochures, but by the opportunity to see the majestic natural action with their own eyes. Researchers note that it is here the observation of the life of fire giants is as safe as possible, because unlike the “explosive” volcanoes in the Philippines, local volcanoes are much more sedate, lava flows can move at the speed of a family car on the slopes, and almost freeze on the plains.
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Not without reason, back at the beginning of the last century, these lands were declared the territory of the Hawaya-Volkeinos National Park, and in 1987 the UNESCO organization included them in the list of World Heritage Sites. The International Biosphere Reserve covers several types of landscape: from the coast to the subalpine and alpine belt. Its special status allows it to keep under protection the habitats of endangered species from the endemic flora and fauna of the islands, as well as archaeological sites of the indigenous population.
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By the way, according to ancient Hawaiian beliefs, the Kilauea caldera is home to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, fire, lightning winds and chaos. Priests made regular pilgrimages to placate the powerful entity with various gifts. In the dark, looking at the mysteriously illuminated vent, from which gas clouds and particles of red-hot basalt, called here no other than “Pele’s tears,” burst out, you can’t help but think that the beliefs of the natives are not so naive.
.In the summer of 2016, Kilauea once again attracted the attention of the world media, as the activation of volcanic processes led to significant ash emissions and powerful lava flows, but the U.S. Geological Survey, which closely monitors the region, reported that there was no need to evacuate locals and visitors to the island.
.Kilauea volcano lava
” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen>How to get there
Kilauea Volcano is located in the southeastern part of the Big Island. The nearest population centers are Hilo (50 km) and Con (150 km), from where buses run to the national park, and you can also use rented transportation or order a car with a driver. Entrance to the reserve is free and not limited by time limits, and guests approach the equipped viewing platforms and Kilauea volcano itself at a safe distance via hiking trails.
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