what island is kilauea on

Kīlauea sits on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Often called the "Big Island," this is the southeastern shore where the world's most active volcano thrives.

Quick Facts

• Location : Southeastern part of the Island of Hawaiʻi (Big Island), within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

• Type : Active shield volcano, one of five that form the island, overlapping Mauna Loa's eastern flank.

• Age : 210,000–280,000 years old, emerging above sea level ~100,000 years ago.

• Summit : 4,091 ft (1,247 m) elevation, featuring a 3x5 km caldera with Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

Kīlauea earns its reputation through frequent eruptions, like the long 1983–2018 East Rift Zone event that reshaped coastlines and inspired Polynesian legends of goddess Pele. Recent activity includes ongoing flows since December 2024 into 2026.

Why It Matters

This hotspot volcano drives the Hawaiian chain's growth, with 90% of its surface from lava flows under 1,100 years old. As of March 10, 2026, it's at WATCH/ORANGE alert with minor activity.

TL;DR : Kīlauea is on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi—home to dramatic lava shows and geological wonders.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.