How many people died from Kilauea eruption?

Kīlauea: A Volcano with a Fiery Temper and a Tragic Past

Kīlauea, perched on the edge of Hawai’i’s Big Island, is no ordinary volcano. It’s a restless giant, constantly bubbling and steaming, and arguably the most active volcano on the planet. Sure, it draws tourists in droves – I mean, who wouldn’t want to peek into a real-life volcano? – but beneath that “drive-in volcano” appeal lies a history etched in fire and, sadly, loss.

So, how many people have actually died because of Kīlauea? It’s a question that takes us on a journey through time, revealing both the volcano’s raw power and the human cost of living alongside it.

Let’s start with the big one, the event that dwarfs all others in terms of sheer tragedy: 1790. Imagine this: a massive, explosive eruption ripping through the caldera. It wasn’t just a little puff of smoke; it was a cataclysm that wiped out an estimated 400 people. These weren’t just random folks; they were Hawaiian warriors, part of Keōua Kuahuʻula’s army, along with their families. They were caught completely off guard by a surge of superheated steam and toxic gases. Think about that for a second – 400 lives, gone in an instant. It’s a sobering thought, and it remains the deadliest volcanic eruption in U.S. history.

But the story doesn’t end there. Kīlauea’s deadly legacy extends beyond that single, devastating event. There have been other incidents, each a painful reminder of nature’s unpredictable force.

We’re talking about things like the massive earthquake in 1868. Now, whether it was directly Kīlauea or its neighbor Mauna Loa that triggered it is still debated, but the consequences were undeniable. The ground shook violently, the coastline sank, and a tsunami surged ashore, claiming 46 lives along Kīlauea’s coast. And then there was the landslide in Wood Valley, another tragedy that took 31 souls.

Even in more recent times, Kīlauea has shown its dangerous side. I remember reading about the photographer in 1924, the poor guy got too close and was killed by flying rocks hurled from Halemaʻumaʻu. Then, in ’75, two campers at Halape were swept away by a tsunami caused by a big earthquake within Kīlauea. And in ’93, a visitor made the fatal mistake of venturing onto a seacoast bench that just gave way beneath him. It’s a harsh lesson: respect the power of the volcano.

Of course, it’s not always about direct hits. Sometimes, Kīlauea’s impact is more indirect, but no less devastating. Think about those earthquakes and tsunamis – they can unleash chaos and destruction far beyond the immediate vicinity of the volcano.

Now, let’s jump to 2018. That eruption was a game-changer. It didn’t directly kill anyone, which is a huge relief, but it was incredibly destructive. Over 700 homes were swallowed by lava, and thousands of people were forced to flee. The financial toll was staggering: hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure, farms, and the tourism industry. It just goes to show, even without direct fatalities, Kīlauea can wreak havoc on a massive scale.

Kīlauea is still very much alive and kicking, with eruptions happening even now. Scientists are keeping a close watch, trying to anticipate its next move. But history is a powerful teacher, and Kīlauea’s past reminds us that this beautiful, awe-inspiring volcano demands our respect, always.