Concern that the Kīlauea volcano might erupt at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park led to temporary closures of some areas of the park. This shot is from last September/NPS file
Growing seismic unrest Monday that could be a predecessor to a volcanic eruption led to temporary closures at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. More than 350 earthquakes during the past 24 hours prompted the cause for concern, said park officials.
“Safety is our main focus, and the uncertainty of where an eruption could break out increases risk,” said the park’s chief ranger, Jack Corrao. “Elevated volcanic gases, dangerous lava activity, damaging earthquakes and lava-ignited wildfire are all potential hazards associated with an eruption.”
The earthquakes led to closure of the Chain of Craters Road from the intersection at Crater Rim Drive, Hilina Pali Road, the Kulanaokuaiki Campground, overnight camping for all coastal sites, the Ka’ū Desaert Trail from the Footprints exhibit, and the Maunaiki Trail.
Staff at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said it was impossible to say whether the increased seismic activity was leading to an eruption of the Kīlauea volcano. However, a park release said, “the gradual strengthening of seismic swarms suggests that an eruption in the summit region of Kīlauea or beneath the upper East Rift Zone in the park is one potential outcome.”
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes, making it distinct among national parks. In 2022, the park closed the summit of Mauna Loa weeks ahead of its historic and nearly two-week eruption. As a result, no evacuations or search and rescue missions were necessary.
The Kīlauea volcano last erupted last September, with lava fountains climbing more than 80 feet into the sky, according to the USGS.
Many popular areas in the park remain open, including Kīlauea Visitor Center, overlooks along Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House, and Nāhuku lava tube. Park visitors were urged to plan ahead and check the park website for any closure or hazard alerts.
The disastrous 2018 eruption occurred along the volcano’s East Rift Zone, and was called by the USGS “the most destructive over the last 200 years in Hawai‘i, with 24 fissures covering an area of over 8,700 acres (35.5 square km) including the addition of 875 acres of new land beyond the old coastline. Over 700 structures and 30 miles (48 km) of roads were covered, displacing many residents. Gas emissions were at the highest levels ever recorded at Kīlauea and impacted much of the State of Hawaii and areas as far away as Guam.”
