Caldera
A caldera is a "large, basin-shaped volcanic depression, more or less circular ... the diameter of which is many times greater than that of the included vent or vents" (Bates and Jackson, 1980). Kilauea caldera is at the summit of Kilauea Volcano and has a diameter of 2 by 3 miles (4.5 km by 3 km). The caldera has been slowly filling by episodic eruptions since 1790.
Aerial view of the summit of Kilauea Volcano. Halemaumau Crater, near the center of the photo, is the main vent inside Kilauea Caldera and is 0.6 miles (1 km) in diameter. The light-colored areas near the crater are mineral deposits that precipitated from gases. The dark lava flow to the east (just below) of the crater erupted in 1982. The road around the perimeter of the caldera is Crater Rim Drive. Jaggar Museum and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are located on Uwekahuna bluff, 470 feet (145 m) above the caldera floor, and can be seen in the upper right of the slide. Kilauea Iki Crater is on the bottom near the center. The buildings near the north rim of the caldera (right margin of the photo) are Kilauea Visitor Center (Park Headquarters) and the Volcano House Hotel. Volcano Village is at the bottom right corner of the photo. Note the change from forest to desert. Photograph by J.D. Griggs, U.S. Geological Survey, January 10, 1985.
