Kilauea

Kilauea

Kilauea is an active volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, one of five volcanic peaks that together form the Island of Hawaii. In Hawaiian kilauea means "spewing" or "much spreading", in reference to the outpouring of lava. It is presently one of the most active volcanoes on the planet earth, and certainly the most visited active volcano on the planet.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses a portion of Kilauea, and the park visitor center is located along the margin of the summit caldera, overlooking a pit crater called Halemaumau.

Kilauea is part of a greater network of vulcanoes which created the complete Hawaiian island chain, while the oceanic sea floor moved over a fixed hotspot in the earth's mantle.