Halema’uma’u crater is the legendary home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. Located at the summit of Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, Halema’uma’u is famous for its lake of molten lava. The lava lake appears and disappears like a magic trick, wowing spectators and scientists for at least the last 200 years. The last four years, (2018 - 2021) have seen historic activity in the crater. Most recently, on September 29th, 2021, Pele returned to Halema’uma’u, filling the crater with lava once again.
Current Eruption
On September 29th, a new eruption began in Halema’uma’u crater. As of October 19th, Observatory scientists estimate 4.2 billion gallons of lava have filled the lava lake to a depth of 151 feet. Giant fountains of lava, up to 49 feet tall have been spotted. The eruption is still on going as of the time of this update (October 22, 2021). See the video below!
Visiting Halema’uma’u Crater
Halema’uma’u crater is located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Due to safety restrictions, you are not able to view the crater and lava lake up close (don’t pull a Mark Twain!) It can be viewed from afar. Nighttime is the best time to visit the crater, when you can see its red glow under an ink black sky full of stars. The park is open 24 hours. Find the latest eruption information and details on best viewing points here.
About Kīlauea Volcano and Halema’uma’u Crater
Kīlauea volcano began with an eruption out of the ocean floor some 600,00 years ago. Over millennia, it emerged from the sea and eventually reached its height of 4,000 ft. It is a sheild volcano and is considered to be the most active volcano in the world. At its summit sits Halema’uma’u crater - a massive caldera which is the site of many eruptions and a lava lake.
In ancient Hawaii, chants chronicled the story of this sacred place, believed to be the spiritual and physical home of the Hawaiian volcano goddess, Pele. When missionaries arrived in Hawaii in the 1800’s, written records of the volcano’s activity began. In 1912, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was established by geologist Thomas Jagger to monitor Kīlauea. In 1916, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established.
Halema’uma’u is one of Kīlauea volcano’s two major active zones. The other is the east rift zone at Pu’u ‘Ō’ō, which was responsible for the lava flows that claimed 100s of homes and businesses in the Puna district in 2018. In this post, we are going to focus specifically on the history of Halema’uma’u crater and it’s lava lake.
Modern History of Halema’uma’u Crater and Summit Eruptions
1866
Writer Mark Twain visits Halema’uma’u crater and views the active lava lake up close...dangerously close, in fact! Read his crazy first hand account here. It’s believed that the crater had a nearly continuous lava lake for around 100 years in this time period.
1924
A giant eruption doubles the size of Halema’uma’u crater to more than 3,000 ft wide. The lake remains active until 1934, when it disappears for 18 years.
1952
Lava returns to Halema’uma’u with intermittent eruptions for the next 30 years, until 1982, when the lake disappears. It won’t return for 26 years.
2008
March 19th - lava lake returns to Halema’uma’u. It will remain for the next 10 years, until 2018.
2018
May - August - lower east rift zone eruption and summit collapses - largest in 200 years. Halema’uma’u crater caldera drops more than 1600 ft and the lava lake drains.
2019
July 25th - a water pond appears at the bottom of the Halema’uma’u crater. This unprecedented in the last 200 years of observation of the volcano. Over the next year, the pond grows to the size of a football field, with a depth of about 30 ft. deep.
2020
December 20th - summit eruption, lava lake returns to Halema’uma’u crater. As of December 28th, the USGS estimates that 2 billion gallons of lava, (the equvilant of 3,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools in case you were wondering) has filled the crater so far. The eruption stops on May 26, 2021.
2021
On September 29th, a new eruption began in Halema’uma’u crater. As of October 19th, Observatory scientists estimated 4.2 billion gallons of lava have filled the lava lake to a depth of 151 feet. Giant fountains of lava, up to 49 feet tall have been spotted. The eruption is still on going as of the time of this update (October 22, 2021).
USGS Videos on Halema’uma’u and Kīlauea Volcano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ9_jP2z_OI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS6Oa_8eFSc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNoJv5Vkumk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLpBMa1576I
Insider Tip: One of our favorite spots to grab a bite and take in the view of Halema’uma’u is the Volcano House restaurant - The Rim - located inside the park. They serve up a mean grilled cheese with a side of lava lake-esq tomato soup, among many other incredibly delicious dishes. It is on the pricey side but worth every bite! While you’re waiting for a table, check out the beautiful lava rock fire place and the gift shop.
Have you seen the glow of Halema’uma’u crater or visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park? Tag us in your photos @myhawaiihostel and #myhawaiihostel for a chance to be featured on our feed!
Top photo credit to Andrew Richard Hara: https://www.andrewhara.com