Kīlauea Lava Fountain Cam

One of Earth's Most Active Volcanoes

Kīlauea is a shield volcano on the southeastern flank of the Big Island of Hawaii and ranks among the most active volcanoes on the planet. It rises to roughly 1,250 meters and sits within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where its eruptions are monitored continuously by the United States Geological Survey.

The Summit Crater and Lava Fountains

This camera frames a close view of the volcano's summit caldera, where eruptive vents periodically feed lava fountains that throw incandescent molten rock tens of meters into the air. The surrounding crater walls are layered with dark, recently solidified basalt, a record of repeated lava flows that reshape the landscape with each episode.

A Living Geological Laboratory

Kīlauea's frequent, relatively accessible activity makes it one of the most studied volcanoes on Earth. Streams of pāhoehoe and ʻaʻā lava, glowing vents, and shifting crater floors offer a continuous window into how Hawaiian volcanoes are built, eruption by eruption.

Hawaiian Cultural Significance

In Hawaiian tradition the summit is the home of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, and the eruptions carry deep cultural meaning. The volcano draws scientists, cultural practitioners, and visitors alike to witness the raw, ongoing creation of the islands.