The most recent eruption in 1801 generated a lava flow that reached the ocean and now underlies the Kona International Airport. Lava flows less than 5,000 years old cover about 80 percent of the volcano.
People Also Ask
Kilauea volcano is not eruptingThe eruption that began on September 10, 2023 has ended. No lava fountains, flows, or glow are visible at this time. Read the activity summary of Kilauea, courtesy of USGS.
The flows around Kona Village and the airport are nearly 200 years old.The rest of the flows are over 1,500 years in age. The low annual rainfall (10-20 inches) in the area accounts for the fresh appearance of the flow surfaces and the lack of vegetation.
Zone 3 includes areas gradationally less hazardous than zone 2 because of greater distance from recently active vents or because the topography makes it less likely that flows will cover these areas.
Lava Zone 4The zone encompasses the volcano Hualalai and the surrounding areas. The towns of Kailua-Kona, North Kona, and the surrounding subdivisions are all in Zone 4.
During the morning of September 11, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists conducted an overflight of the new eruption within the Kilauea summit caldera. The eruption is occurring in the east portion of Halema?uma?u crater and on the downdropped block to the east, which formed during the 2018 summit collapse.
The volcano, located on the Big Island, last erupted in June. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said there was no immediate threat to people or property.
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.
Is Hawaii Safe to Visit? If you're wondering “is Hawaii safe to visit” the answer is a resounding YES! While Kilauea's lava flow remains powerful after an initial eruption on May 3 and series of subsequent earthquakes, the island is not completely shut down – contrary to popular belief.
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.
Zone 8 - Remaining part of Mauna Kea. Only a few percents of this area has been covered by lava in the past 10,000 years. Zone 9 - Kohala Volcano, which last erupted over 60,000 years ago.
On average for a 1,200 sf home you can expect annual premiums to be approximately $6,000.00. For comparison, a homeowners policy for lava zone 3 or higher is about $1,400.00 per year and you will have numerous choices for coverage.