Kīlauea Volcano: Hawaii’s Ever-Changing Landscape — Reading Comprehension

Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has shaped Hawaii’s Big Island for over 300,000 years. As a shield volcano, it produces frequent, effusive eruptions of basaltic lava that slowly build its gentle slopes.

Historical Eruptions

●       1790: Deadliest known eruption killed 80+ warriors in Keonehelelei ash explosion

●       1955 & 1960: East Rift Zone eruptions destroyed villages of Kapoho

●       1983-2018: Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption - longest continuous flank eruption in recorded history

●       2018: Lower Puna eruption destroyed 700+ homes and reshaped coastline

Current Status (2024)

●       Active summit lava lake in Halemaʻumaʻu crater since 2021

●       No immediate threat to communities

●       Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors 24/7 for:

○       Earthquake swarms

○       Ground deformation

○       Gas emissions (SO₂)

Unique Features

●       Home to Pele, Hawaiian volcano goddess

●       Part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (UNESCO site)

●       Lava flows create new land - added ~1.5 sq km since 1983

Kīlauea remains both a cultural treasure and geological wonder, offering scientists unparalleled opportunities to study effusive volcanism up close.

Fun Fact: Kīlauea Volcano has been erupting almost continuously since 1983, making it one of the most active volcanoes on Earth! During this time, its lava flows have added over 875 acres of new land to the Big Island of Hawaii

What type of volcano is Kīlauea?

Which eruption lasted 35 years?

What was destroyed in 2018?

What is monitored at Halemaʻumaʻu?

Which goddess is associated with Kīlauea?

How much new land formed since 1983?

What makes Kīlauea lava less explosive?

Which organization monitors Kīlauea?