Haleakalā | U.S. Geological Survey
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/haleakal%C4%81
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Haleakalā | U.S. Geological Survey
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Haleakalā
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Haleakalā
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East Maui volcano, known as Haleakalā, has witnessed at least ten eruptions in the past 1,000 years, and numerous eruptions have occurred there in the past 10,000 years.
Quick Facts
Location:
Maui, Hawaii
Latitude:
20.718° N
Longitude:
156.25° W
Elevation:
3,055 (m) 10,023 (f)
Volcano type:
Shield
Composition:
Basalt
Most recent eruption:
Between 1480 and 1600 A.D.
Nearby towns:
Hana, Keokea, Kula, Pukalani, Wailea-Makena
Threat Potential:
Moderate*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Media
Southern slope of East Maui, Haleakalā volcano seen from the air.
The most recent eruptions occurred sometime between the years 1480 and 1600. East Maui's long eruptive history and recent activity indicate that the volcano will erupt in the future. East Maui's volume is about 30,000 km
3
(7,200 mi
3
) with about 97% of the volume below sea level. Its area is 1,470 km
2
(570 mi
2
. The volcano is considered to be in its post-shield stage.
The Hawaiian name Hale-a-ka-la (literally, house of the sun), is now nearly synonymous with the entire shield of East Maui volcano. Early Hawaiians, however, applied the name only to the summit area, the site where the demigod Maui snared the sun and forced it to slow its journey across the sky. A large topographic depression, Haleakalā Crater, occupies the summit region. The crater is an erosional feature and opens at its northwest and southeast corners forming large valleys that drain to the north and south coasts, respectively.
The oldest lava flow exposed on East Maui is about 1.1 million years in age. It is part of a sequence of flows emplaced near the end of shield building on East Maui. The volcano began its growth about 2 million years ago.
Volcanism of the past 30,000 years on East Maui has been focused along the southwest and east rift zones. These two volcanic axes together form one gently curving arc that passes from La Perouse Bay (southwest flank of East Maui) through Haleakalā Crater to Hana on the east flank. The alignment continues east beneath the ocean as Haleakalā Ridge, one of the longest rift zones along the Hawaiian Islands volcanic chain. The on-land segment of this lengthy volcanic line of vents is the zone of greatest hazard for future lava flows and cindery ash.
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2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
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Belknap
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,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
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Blue Lake Crater
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Carrizozo Lava Flow
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Coso Volcanic Field
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Daikoku Seamount
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Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
November 21, 2023
Geology and History of Haleakalā
Haleakalā, is one of two volcanoes that make up the Island of Maui. It is in the postshield alkalic stage of Hawaiian volcanism.
By
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
,
Haleakalā
Geology and History of Haleakalā
November 21, 2023
Geology and History of Haleakalā
Haleakalā, is one of two volcanoes that make up the Island of Maui. It is in the postshield alkalic stage of Hawaiian volcanism.
Learn More
Quick Facts
Location:
Maui, Hawaii
Latitude:
20.718° N
Longitude:
156.25° W
Elevation:
3,055 (m) 10,023 (f)
Volcano type:
Shield
Composition:
Basalt
Most recent eruption:
Between 1480 and 1600 A.D.
Nearby towns:
Hana, Keokea, Kula, Pukalani, Wailea-Makena
Threat Potential:
Moderate*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Haleakalā
Find U.S. Volcano
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
Results
Filters
Learn More
The map displays volcanoes, earthquakes, monitoring instruments, and past lava flows.
Get Help
Earthquake Plots
To view an earthquake cross-sectional plot, click "Draw Plot" to start drawing on the map. Once the plot area is selected, click on "View Plot" to view chart or "Clear Plot" to start over.
Settings
Map Layers
Earthquake Colors
Earthquake Depth Units
Earthquake Time Units
x
Map Legend
x
Map Legend
Results
Haleakalā
Home
Volcano Updates
Science
Maps
Multimedia
Publications
News
Connect
East Maui volcano, known as Haleakalā, has witnessed at least ten eruptions in the past 1,000 years, and numerous eruptions have occurred there in the past 10,000 years.
Quick Facts
Location:
Maui, Hawaii
Latitude:
20.718° N
Longitude:
156.25° W
Elevation:
3,055 (m) 10,023 (f)
Volcano type:
Shield
Composition:
Basalt
Most recent eruption:
Between 1480 and 1600 A.D.
Nearby towns:
Hana, Keokea, Kula, Pukalani, Wailea-Makena
Threat Potential:
Moderate*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
Media
Southern slope of East Maui, Haleakalā volcano seen from the air.
The most recent eruptions occurred sometime between the years 1480 and 1600. East Maui's long eruptive history and recent activity indicate that the volcano will erupt in the future. East Maui's volume is about 30,000 km
3
(7,200 mi
3
) with about 97% of the volume below sea level. Its area is 1,470 km
2
(570 mi
2
. The volcano is considered to be in its post-shield stage.
The Hawaiian name Hale-a-ka-la (literally, house of the sun), is now nearly synonymous with the entire shield of East Maui volcano. Early Hawaiians, however, applied the name only to the summit area, the site where the demigod Maui snared the sun and forced it to slow its journey across the sky. A large topographic depression, Haleakalā Crater, occupies the summit region. The crater is an erosional feature and opens at its northwest and southeast corners forming large valleys that drain to the north and south coasts, respectively.
The oldest lava flow exposed on East Maui is about 1.1 million years in age. It is part of a sequence of flows emplaced near the end of shield building on East Maui. The volcano began its growth about 2 million years ago.
Volcanism of the past 30,000 years on East Maui has been focused along the southwest and east rift zones. These two volcanic axes together form one gently curving arc that passes from La Perouse Bay (southwest flank of East Maui) through Haleakalā Crater to Hana on the east flank. The alignment continues east beneath the ocean as Haleakalā Ridge, one of the longest rift zones along the Hawaiian Islands volcanic chain. The on-land segment of this lengthy volcanic line of vents is the zone of greatest hazard for future lava flows and cindery ash.
Volcano Watch — The Art and Science of Geologic Mapping
November 7, 2024
Volcano Watch — The Art and Science of Geologic Mapping
Volcano Watch — What is a volcano?
July 14, 2022
Volcano Watch — What is a volcano?
Volcano Watch — It is Earth Day, My Earthlings
April 21, 2022
Volcano Watch — It is Earth Day, My Earthlings
View All
October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
,
Volcano Science Center
,
Agrigan
,
Ahyi Seamount
,
Alamagan
,
Anatahan
,
Asuncion
,
Belknap
,
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
,
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
,
Blue Lake Crater
,
Carrizozo Lava Flow
,
Cascade Range Weekly Update
,
Cinnamon Butte
,
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
,
Coso Volcanic Field
,
Crater Lake
,
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
,
Daikoku Seamount
,
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
,
Devils Garden Lava Field
,
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
,
Dotsero Volcanic Center
,
East Diamante
,
Esmeralda Bank
,
Farallon de Pajaros
,
Fukujin Seamount
,
Glacier Peak
,
Guguan
,
Haleakalā
,
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
,
Hualālai
,
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
,
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
,
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
,
Kasuga 2
,
Kīlauea
,
Lassen Volcanic Center
,
Long Valley Caldera
,
Mammoth Mountain
,
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
,
Maug Islands
,
Mauna Kea
,
Mauna Loa
,
Medicine Lake
,
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
,
Mono-Inyo Craters
,
Mount Adams
,
Mount Bachelor
,
Mount Baker
,
Mount Hood
,
Mount Jefferson
,
Mount Rainier
,
Mount Shasta
,
Mount St. Helens
,
Newberry
,
Ofu-Olosega
,
Pagan
,
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
,
Ruby
,
Salton Buttes
,
San Francisco Volcanic Field
,
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
,
Sarigan
,
Soda Lakes
,
South Sarigan Seamount
,
Supply Reef
,
Ta'u Island
,
Three Sisters
,
Tutuila Island
,
Ubehebe Craters
,
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
,
Valles Caldera
,
Wapi Lava Field
,
Weekly Update
,
West Crater Volcanic Field
,
Yellowstone
,
Zealandia Bank
,
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
November 21, 2023
Geology and History of Haleakalā
Haleakalā, is one of two volcanoes that make up the Island of Maui. It is in the postshield alkalic stage of Hawaiian volcanism.
By
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
,
Haleakalā
Geology and History of Haleakalā
November 21, 2023
Geology and History of Haleakalā
Haleakalā, is one of two volcanoes that make up the Island of Maui. It is in the postshield alkalic stage of Hawaiian volcanism.
Learn More
Quick Facts
Location:
Maui, Hawaii
Latitude:
20.718° N
Longitude:
156.25° W
Elevation:
3,055 (m) 10,023 (f)
Volcano type:
Shield
Composition:
Basalt
Most recent eruption:
Between 1480 and 1600 A.D.
Nearby towns:
Hana, Keokea, Kula, Pukalani, Wailea-Makena
Threat Potential:
Moderate*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Volcanoes Hazards Program Links
Assess
Prepare
Forecast
Activity
Products
Observatories
About
Was this page helpful?