Click on colored number circle to get information about that location. The geology along the road can be divided into four areas characterized by different features and the age of the rocks. The road begins on the upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea where pit craters are common. This area receives enough rain to support rainforest. Much of this area is covered by fresh-looking lava flows.
Vegetation is sparse because of the young age of the flows and the lower amount of rainfall.
The road continues in the coastal area on the gently-sloping south flank of the volcano. The rocks here are 500-750 year old. Vegetation is sparse due too low rainfall. At the end of the road is the lava viewing area and the youngest rocks in the park. Viewing conditions often change.