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1981 Map of Kilauea Crater

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Kilauea Crater
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Kilauea Crater and its dynamic volcanic landscape dominate this 1981 survey, capturing a detailed look at the island's geological activity within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The map documents successive geological events, including the Lava Flow of 1921, Lava Flow of 1954, and more recent activity along the Southwest Rift Zone. Significant cultural and scientific landmarks like the Kilauea Military Camp and the Volcano Observatory sit near the rim of the central caldera, providing a record of human presence amidst active vents like Halemaumau Crater.

Beyond the primary vents, the map identifies several distinct "kipukas"—islands of older land surrounded by younger flows—such as Kipuka Puaulu and Kipuka Kekake. These features, along with the Kilauea Forest Reserve, contrast the stark lava fields of the Kau Desert with preserved pockets of vegetation. Infrastructure of the era is well-defined, from the Scenic Road and Crater Rim Drive to specialized features like a Heliport and a series of Rain Sheds and Water Tanks used for backcountry water management.