The final stop on Crater Rim Drive, the
Kilauea Iki Overlook at
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park should not be confused with the
Kilauea Crater Overlook. Kilauea Iki is a pit crater situated next to the main summit caldera of
Mount Kilauea. Located about 400 feet above the caldera floor near the
Thurston Lava Tube, the overlook features views of the 2 mile wide, 3 mile long Kilauea Caldera.
History
The 1960s saw some of the most spectacular lava activity at Kilauea Iki. Lava fountains up to 1,900 feet (580 m) erupted from its depths. On December 15, 1959, the highest amount of lava flow recorded here was measured at 1.45 million cubic meters per hour!