Geography of Kilauea
Kilauea, an active volcano on the island of Hawaii. Kilauea lies on the eastern slope of Mauna Loa, a larger, much higher, but less active volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The summit of Kilauea is 4,090 feet (1,247 m) above sea level. Its caldera (crater) is as much as three miles (4.8 km) across. On the floor of the caldera is Kilauea's main vent, called Halemaumau, meaning “house of everlasting fire.” Eruptions are usually in the form of fiery displays in Halemaumau and lava flows on the caldera's floor or along fissures on the volcano's flanks. Eruptions are frequent, but rarely violently explosive.