The Hilina Slump is an active large-scale landslide on Kīlauea's south flank, potentially capable of generating destructive megatsunamis if it undergoes sudden failure.
Key Facts
- Location
- South flank of Kīlauea Volcano, Big Island, Hawaiʻi
- Annual seaward movement
- Up to 10 centimeters per year cm/year
- Landslide type
- Large submarine and subaerial flank slump
- Potential hazard
- Megatsunami if sudden flank failure occurs
- Extent
- Entire south flank extending to Cape Kumukahi
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The south flank of Kīlauea is destabilized by the forceful injection of magma from below and the persistent pull of gravity, causing the entire flank, including the Hilina Slump, to creep continuously seaward. Historical evidence of massive submarine slides in the geological record indicates this process has operated over long timescales.
The Hilina Slump is an ongoing large-scale landslide on the southeastern flank of Kīlauea Volcano, considered the most notable of several landslides ringing the Hawaiian Islands. Parts of the central flank move up to 10 centimeters per year seaward, gradually transferring volcanic material from the vent areas downslope and onto the seabed, incrementally broadening the island.
The slow but continuous movement of the Hilina Slump, combined with evidence of past catastrophic submarine collapses, has raised scientific concern that a sudden large-scale failure of Kīlauea's south flank could generate megatsunamis with potentially devastating regional impact. The slump remains an area of active geological monitoring and hazard assessment.