What is the volcano on the side of the Big Island?

Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on the planet. Meaning long mountain in Hawaiian, it is the quintessential shield volcano in its shape— signified by broad, rounded slopes. The volcano makes up roughly 51% of Hawai?i Island and stands 13,681 feet (4,170 m) above sea level.



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Arguably the largest attraction on this side of the Island is Kilauea volcano and Volcanoes National Park, which is found on the southeastern side of the Island.

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Periodic Kilauea Eruption; Volcano is not currently active Kilauea volcano, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is NOT currently erupting at its summit.

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Hualalai Volcano is the third most active volcano on the Big Island. Hualalai has historically erupted an average of 2-3 times every 1000 years. It's most recent eruption was in 1801. In the image below, Hualalai rises above Kailua-Kona on the west coast of the Big Island.

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The Big Island, for instance, is constructed of 5 major volcanoes: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and Kohala.

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Hilo Airport (ITO) is the closest airport and takes about 45 minutes. Turn left upon leaving Hilo airport onto Highway 11 (Hawaii Belt Road).

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HVNP is located 30 miles southwest of Hilo and 96 miles southeast of Kona. It's open year-round, 24 hours a day. HVNP is home to Kilauea Volcano, the most continuously active volcano in the world, and the park offers the unique experience of walking on land that is younger than you are.

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Kilauea, Hawaii's Most Active Volcano, Erupts Again.

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USGS: Mauna Loa and Kilauea no longer erupting; alert levels downgraded.

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Zone 9, considered the least hazardous region, consists of Kohala, a volcano that has not erupted for 60,000 years. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Lava-flow hazard zones map, Island of Hawai'i.

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Hawaii has five main volcanoes that are considered active. Four of these active volcanoes are located on Big Island. They include Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Hualalai. The other is located on Maui and it is Mount Haleakala.

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Witness Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupt from Halemaumau crater for third time in 2023. U.S. Geological Survey footage captured lava bursting from the Halemaumau crater as the Kilauea volcano erupted for the third time in 2023.

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Kilauea is a highly active volcano located within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaii. Not only can you visit Kilauea, but you can enjoy a hotel stay in the park at Volcano House near the crater's edge for the experience of a lifetime.

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Volcanic hazards in Kona (i.e. the western side of the island of Hawai'i) stem primarily from Mauna Loa and Hualalai volcanoes. The former has erupted 39 times since 1832. Lava flows were emplaced in Kona during seven of these eruptions and last impacted Kona in 1950.

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Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawai'i. From Kailua-Kona: 95 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2.5 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours). From Waikoloa: 90 miles southeast on Highway 200 (2 hour drive).

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The District of Hilo is relatively far from the most active part of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone (NERZ) and the slopes above the town are fairly gentle.

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For example, the town of Hilo is in Zone 3, a safe zone despite its proximity to a volcano.

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The last eruption before its longest period of quiet in recorded history— began in March 1984. In dramatic fashion, lava descended to the doorstep of Hilo, the island's population center.

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