Crater Rim Drive

Steam Vents
It’s easy to forget as we scoot along the Crater Rim Drive that the heart of a volcano is actively beating beneath our feet. You can feel its breath at this unique location on the side of the crater. On your left is the large parking lot with pathways to the steaming bank as well as fenced-off holes that belch warm, sulphur-free steam. When the rain falls it seeps into the hot rocks below the ground which produces the magnificent warm plumes. They are most stunning early in the morning when the air is cooler. Not to mention their will be few people cramming around the vent for a facial. A small path begins from the parking lot and leads to the Crater Rim Trail which provides smashing views of the caldera and a few more steam vents. Across the road from the parking lot is a small paved path which leads to the Sulphur Banks.

Kilauea Overlook
The parking lot for the lookout is on the left about .7 miles past the Steam Vents. From this vantage point you can truly appreciate the magnitude of the Kilauea Caldera which spans two miles and drops 400 feet. Imagine this vast space oozing with molten rock. A frightening and awe-inspiring thought for sure. Geologists now believe that the bubbling lake of lava exists 2 miles below the floor. In the distance to the right is a large depression. This is the famous Halema’uma’u Crater. A better view is coming up at the Jaggar Museum. Visitors often overlook this area, but it is a great location for a picnic or a restroom stop.

Jaggar Museum & Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was built in 1912 by Dr. Thomas Jaggar of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Originally located by the Volcano House, it was later moved to its current location on the highest point of the crater rim. Here scientists use the latest technology to monitor the volcano. It is off limits to the public.
Next door is the Jaggar Museum, one of the most popular stops in the park. If you reach the museum later in the day prepare to have a lot of company and for good reason. Inside is a treasure trove of geological specimens and equipment. Of particular interest is some of the equipment used by geologists who monitor the volcano. Seismometers and a tiltmeter show the daily activity of the volcano for visitors to view. Video screens also show footage of some historical and recent flows.
Step outside onto the veranda for a spectacular view of the Halema’uma’u Crater. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

Southwest Rift Zone
Back on the Crater Rim Drive ….. miles past the museum you will cross over a huge fissure in the volcano called the Southwest Rift. This is basically a weak part in the volcano where it is being pulled apart. This huge crack begins at the summit and continues down to the ocean. Magma flows through the rifts occasionally erupting on to the surface. This happened as recently at 1971 and 1974. Be cautious in this area as it is downwind from Halema’uma’u and volcanic gases can settle here.

Halema’uma’u Overlook
If you were to have visited this overlook in the 19th century, you would understand how it earned the name “firepit.” During this time a swirling, fiery lake of lava filled the crater. The parking lot is on the left and a short 10-minute walk down to the lookout. It is not paved, so wear close-toed shoes with good grip. Once you reach the overlook, you will be peering into the volcano goddess Pele’s sanctuary. Although her flows are plunging into the ocean elsewhere, her home is in Halema’uma’u. Cultural ceremonies are held and offerings are sometimes left for her on the crater rim.
As you gaze into the 300 foot deep crater, imagine what it was like, as a visitor in the 19th century to look into the bowels of hell. In 1924 the plug was pulled on Halema’uma’u, like a hellish bathtub the lava rapidly disappeared from the crater leaving a gaping hole in the volcano that allowed rain water to penetrate. This set off a series of huge steam explosions that catapulted rocks out of the crater which can be seen on your walk to the rim.
Although the lava is long gone, sulphuric fumes can still linger. Small children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with heart or respiratory problems should steer clear.
The Halema’uma’u Trail begins at the lookout and continues 3.2 miles across Kilauea Caldera. It is a lovely day hike with concludes at the Visitor Center on the other side of the park.
Just down the road from Halema’uma’u is the site of the September 1982 lava flow. This eruption lasted 15 hours as fountains of lava shot up out of the fissures. Two new cracks developed during the eruption which allowed the lava to flow to the northwest and south.

Keanakako’i Overlook
Keanakako’i is up the road on the right. The ancient Hawaiians would visit this crater to harvest extremely hard stone for use in tools. In 1877 a lava flow covered the entire floor of the crater, shutting off access to the stone. Across the street from Keanakako’i is a fissure which erupted continuously from July 19 – 23, 1974. The reddish coloration of the rock is the result of oxidation by the escaping gasses.

Location: Crater Rim Drive is located in the Volcano Region

Add Your Comments

Name:

Email:

Location:

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Submit the word you see below: