Kīlauea— An explosive volcano in Hawai‘i
Fact Sheet
2011-3064
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Abstract
Kīlauea Volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i, though best known for its frequent quiet eruptions of lava flows, has erupted explosively many times in its history - most recently in 2011. At least six such eruptions in the past 1,500 years sent ash into the jet stream, at the cruising altitudes for today's aircraft. The eruption of 1790 remains the most lethal eruption known from a U.S. volcano. However, the tendency of Kīlauea's 2 million annual visitors is to forget this dangerous potential. Cooperative research by scientists of the U.S. Geological Survey, Smithsonian Institution, and University of Hawai‘i is improving our understanding of Kīlauea's explosive past and its potential for future violent eruptions.
Suggested Citation
Swanson, D., Fiske, D., Rose, T., Houghton, B.F., and Mastin, L., 2011, Kilauea— An explosive volcano in Hawai‘i: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2011-3064, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20113064.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Kilauea— An explosive volcano in Hawai‘i |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 2011-3064 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs20113064 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Volcano Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawai'i |
| Other Geospatial | Kīlauea Volcano |