Eruptive fissures in Hawaii associated with Kilauea; what are they? What is really happening?

Asked by: Haydee Broomfield

What happened during the eruption of Kīlauea?

The eruption began on January 3, 1983, as the first of several fissures broke out on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone. By June 1983, the eruption became focused at a single vent, and over the next 3 years, a series of 44 lava fountains built a cinder-and-spatter cone later named Pu’u’ō’ō.

What happened during the Kīlauea eruption 2021?

Overflight measurements from September 12, 2022, indicated that the crater floor had seen a total rise of about 143 meters (469 feet), and that 111 million cubic meters (29.2 billion gallons) of lava had been effused since the beginning of this eruption on September 29, 2021.

What caused Kīlauea eruption?

The eruption was likely driven by an increase in pressure underneath the surface of the volcano, one possible explanation of the change in pressure is the long and consistent rainfall that fell for several months before the eruption (Farquharson & Amelung, 2020).

How did the eruption of Kīlauea affect humans?

There were statistically significant increased odds associated with exposure for self-reported cough, phlegm, rhinorrhea, sore and dry throat, sinus congestion, wheezing, eye irritation, and diagnosed bronchitis.

What type of eruption does Kilauea have?

Kilauea is a basaltic shield volcano, erupting a type of basalt known as tholeiite. This type of lava is the dominant extrusive during the shield building (the main stage) of hawaiian volcanism and is the dominant basalt type erupted on Earth.

What damage did the 2018 eruption of Kilauea?

In 2018, a new eruption of Kīlauea volcano changed the island of Hawai’i forever. From May through August, large lava flows covered land southeast of the park destroying over 700 homes and devastating residential areas in the Puna District.

Is the Hawaii volcano Still Erupting 2022?

Yes! Kīlauea continues to erupt in the form of a lava lake, and all the lava is contained within the summit crater, Halemʻaumaʻu. Since September 29, 2021, over 93 million cubic meters (24 billion gallons) of lava have erupted.

Is Kīlauea still erupting 2022?

Overflight measurements from September 12, 2022, indicated that the crater floor had seen a total rise of about 143 meters (469 feet), and that 111 million cubic meters (29.2 billion gallons) of lava had been effused since the beginning of this eruption on September 29, 2021.

When did Kīlauea start erupting again?

Kīlauea is also one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, and the most recent and currently ongoing eruption began on September 29, 2021, when several vents began to erupt lava within Halemaʻumaʻu, a pit crater in the volcano’s summit caldera.

How many deaths has Kīlauea caused?

Estimates of the number of fatalities range from “about 80 warriors” (William Ellis) to about “400 people” or “800 warriors” (Stephen Desha) to “5405 countrymen” (David Douglas, quoting an eyewitness, a Priest of Pele, in 1834).

Is Kīlauea currently erupting?

Currently Ongoing Eruption



Kilauea volcano, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is currently erupting at its summit – flooding the floor of Halemaumau Crater with fresh lava flows. Current conditions are additionally included below.

What are 5 interesting facts about Kilauea?

8 fascinating things you never knew about Hawaii’s Kilauea…

• Kilauea has been erupting continuously since 1983. …
• It has more than two dozen craters. …
• It’s probably the world’s most active volcano. …
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the earliest established. …
• There was once a golf course on the volcano.

How many deaths did the Kilauea volcano cause in 2018?

At last, the recovery could begin. In total, the lava flow destroyed more than 700 homes, and displaced more than 2,000 people. There were no deaths, but some were injured by debris, including Darryl Clinton, whose leg was shattered after lava hit his shin.

How many deaths has Kīlauea caused?

Estimates of the number of fatalities range from “about 80 warriors” (William Ellis) to about “400 people” or “800 warriors” (Stephen Desha) to “5405 countrymen” (David Douglas, quoting an eyewitness, a Priest of Pele, in 1834).

How did Kīlauea affect the environment?

However, the Kilauea Volcano and other volcanic features at the park emit noxious gases that can pose serious human and ecosystem health concerns. Kilauea’s nearly continuous eruption emits sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas and results in volcanic air pollution downwind of the volcano.

What are 5 interesting facts about Kīlauea?

8 fascinating things you never knew about Hawaii’s Kilauea…

• Kilauea has been erupting continuously since 1983. …
• It has more than two dozen craters. …
• It’s probably the world’s most active volcano. …
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the earliest established. …
• There was once a golf course on the volcano.

How many deaths did the Kilauea volcano cause in 2018?

At last, the recovery could begin. In total, the lava flow destroyed more than 700 homes, and displaced more than 2,000 people. There were no deaths, but some were injured by debris, including Darryl Clinton, whose leg was shattered after lava hit his shin.

Has the Kīlauea volcano killed anyone?

But relatively few people have been killed by Kilauea’s lava, because it is usually possible for people to get out of its path. The one major fatality at Kilauea was caused by a steam explosion. In 1794, lava-heated groundwater killed a troop of soldiers marching past the caldera.

Is the Hawaii volcano still erupting?

Currently Ongoing Eruption



Kilauea volcano, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is currently erupting at its summit – flooding the floor of Halemaumau Crater with fresh lava flows. Current conditions are additionally included below.