Kīlauea is a currently active shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands. It is between 300,000 and 600,000 years old and emerged above sea level about 100,000 years ago.

Kīlauea has been erupting continuously since January 3, 1983, and is by far its longest-duration historical period of activity, as well as one of the longest-duration eruptions in the world. As of January 2011, the eruption has produced 3.5 km3 of lava and resurfaced 123.2 km2 (48 sq mi) of land. Lots of tourists and photographers come to snap pictures of this beautiful and frightening natural phenomenon.