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 MaunaikiThe Maunaiki eruption in the Kaʻū Desert lasted from December 1919 to August 1920. 
1924 Explosive Eruption of KīlaueaFor 18 days in 1924, hundreds of steam explosions from Kīlauea hurled mud, debris, and boulders great distances. 
1952 Summit EruptionThe 1952 eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano lasted for 136 days. 
1954 Summit EruptionThe short eruption of 1954 was not specifically predicted, but it was not unexpected. 
1959 Eruption of Kīlauea IkiThe 1959 eruption out of Kīlauea Iki Crater featured a lake of lava and the highest lava fountains ever recorded. 
1961 Summit EruptionHalemaʻumaʻu crater hosted three eruptive phases during a seven month period of sporadic activity in 1961. 
1967-1968 Summit EruptionThe spectacular eruption of 1967-1968 lasted 251 days. 
1969-1974 Eruption of MaunauluThe eruption of Maunaulu lasted nearly five years and reshaped the landscape. 
July 1974 Summit EruptionThe three-day eruption in July 1974 sent flows across Chain of Craters Road and into Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) 
1983-2018 Eruption of PuʻuʻōʻōIn the past 500 years, no rift zone eruption comes close to matching the duration of the one that began in 1983. 
2008-2018 Summit EruptionThe summit of Kīlauea hosted a lava lake-style eruption for a decade before the massive summit collapse in 2018. 
2018 Eruption and Summit CollapseThe eruption of Kīlauea in 2018 was the largest in centuries and coincided with a dramatic summit collapse. 
2020-2021 Summit EruptionPhotos and videos from the five month eruption that began on December 20, 2020 and ended on May 26, 2021. 
September 2021-2022 Summit EruptionThe 300-acre lava lake provided spectacular views for park visitors. 
2023 Summit EruptionLearn more about the most recent eruption that gave rise to the largest lava lake on earth. 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 LoaOne of the deadliest disasters in Hawaiian history 
1880-1881 Eruption of Mauna LoaAn eruption that threatened the city of Hilo and saw the first known attempts at lava diversion in Hawaiʻi 
1935 Eruption of Mauna LoaAs the 1935 eruption began to close in on Hilo, aerial bombing was employed in an attempt to alter its course 
1942 Eruption of Mauna LoaAn eruption that was declared a "secret" during World War II. 
1950 Eruption of Mauna LoaIn June 1950, Mauna Loa sent large lava flows to the sea with blazing speed. 
1975 Eruption of Mauna LoaThe brief but spectacular eruption of 1975 lasted less than 24 hours 
1984 Eruption of Mauna LoaThe 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa that ended 4 miles away from the town of Hilo. 
2022 Mauna Loa EruptionMauna 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: January 6, 2023