Photograph by J. Kauahikaua on December 30, 1996.
Though Hualalai is not nearly as active as Mauna Loa or Kilauea, our recent geologic mapping of the volcano shows that 80 percent of Hualalai's surface has been covered by lava flows in the past 5,000 years. In the past few decades, when most of the resorts, homes, and commercial buildings were built on the flanks of Hualalai, earthquake activity beneath the volcano has been low. In 1929, however, an intense swarm of earthquakes lasting more than a month was most likely caused by magma rising to near the surface. For these reasons, Hualalai is considered a potentially dangerous volcano that is likely to erupt again in the next 100 years.
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Island of Hawaii
Information:
| Location: 19.69 N 155.87 W |
| Elev. Above Sea Level: 2,521 m 8,271 ft |
| Area: 751 km2 290 mi2 (7.2% of Hawaii) |
| Volume: 12,400 km3 2,975 mi3 |
| Most Recent Eruption(s): 1800 and 1801 A.D. |
| Number of Historical Eruptions (since 1790 A.D.): One, possibly two (six different vents active) |
| Oldest Dated Rocks: About 128,000 years before present |
| Estimated Age of Hualalai: Apparently grew above sea level before 300,000 years ago |
| Volcano Stage: Post-shield stage |