When Did Kilauea Form?

The 3 x 5 km caldera was formed in several stages about 1500 years ago. About 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano

is formed of lava flows less than about 1100 years old; 70% of the volcano's surface is younger than 600 years.

When was Kilauea formed?

Established in 1961 and formerly a part of Hawaii National Park (established 1916), it occupies an area of 505 square miles (1,308 square km) and includes two active volcanoes—Mauna Loa and Kilauea—25 miles (40 km) apart.

How Kilauea was formed?

Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai'i. (Public domain.) Lava flows finally began to erupt again about 1,000 years ago, breaking the 1,200-year-long interval dominated by explosive eruptions. Lava completely filled the summit caldera, then overflowed to form a new shield—the Observatory shield—in place of the caldera.