Blog > Big Island of Hawaii Lava Zones
There are many unique factors that need to be a part of your decision when buying on the Big Island. From elevation to climate zone, and Lava Zones. Did you know the Big Island has 9 Lava Zones? Lava zones represent the hazard level for volcanic activity in your area. This can directly affect the cost of insurance for your property or require additional coverage options.
The map below shows the Lava Zones for the five volcanoes on the Island of Hawaii.
The zones, rank from 1 through 9, represents a scale of decreasing hazard as the numbers increase, based on the probability of coverage by lava flows. The USGS about 20 years ago prepared the lava zone map for general planning purposes. The lava zones are approximate areas and are based on past eruptions.
Per the USGS below are each zone’s descriptions. That will help you read the above map.
The lava flow hazard zones are based on the location of eruptive vents, past lava coverage, and topography.[3]
- Zone 1 – Includes summits and rift zones of Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, where vents have been repeatedly active in historical time.
- Zone 2 – Areas adjacent to and downslope of zone 1. 15-25% of zone 2 has been covered by lava since 1800, and 25-75% has been covered within the past 750 years. Relative hazard within zone 2 decreases gradually as one moves away from zone 1.
- Zone 3 – Areas less hazardous than zone 2 because of greater distance from recently active vents and (or) because of topography. 1-5% of zone 3 has been covered since 1800, and 15-75% has been covered within the past 750 years.
- Zone 4 – Includes all of Hualalai, where the frequency of eruptions is lower than that for Kilauea or Mauna Loa. Lava coverage is proportionally smaller, about 5% since 1800, and less than 15% within the past 750 years.
- Zone 5 – Area on Kilauea currently protected by topography
- Zone 6 – Two areas on Mauna Loa, both protected by topography
- Zone 7 – Younger part of Mauna Kea volcano. 20% of this area was covered by lava in the past 10,000 years.
- Zone 8 – Remaining part of Mauna Kea. Only a few percents of this area has been covered by lava in the past 10,000 years.
- Zone 9 – Kohala Volcano, which last erupted over 60,000 years ago.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory maintains an FAQ intended to answer many of the questions that arise from the map and its various uses. https://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/LavaZonesTable.html
As mentioned before what Lava Zone you are considering a purchase of real estate is important to know. It’s best to be fully informed when making a decision to purchase real estate. For Lava zones 1 and 2 you will want to check with your lender as well as what homeowners insurance is available and at what coast. If you are purchasing with a loan I would check in with a local lender to see what options there are for these zones. Also, something often not thought of is what homeowners insurance is available in Lava Zone 1 and 2. As the availability of homeowners insurance, Lava Zone 1 and 2 can often change. As well as the availability of loans.
More information can be found at https://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/LavaZonesTable.html
As this map can be confusing to tell what lava zone the home you are interested in. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I can help with what Lava Zone that home is in. As a licensed professional on the Big Island, I’m here to help you.