Chain of Craters Road reopens to vehicles after earthquakes crack pavement

Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reopened to vehicles late Monday afternoon.

No noticeable expansion in cracks caused by last week’s seismic swarm was detected by park staff. However, the Maunaulu parking lot and access road are temporarily closed to vehicles due to significant cracks and buckling in the pavement. The park engineer and road crew will continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of the roadway. In the meantime, bicyclists and pedestrians may use the Maunaulu access road.

Motorists on Chain of Craters Road are advised to drive safely and obey all posted speed limit signs. Motorcyclists should use extra caution and expect bumps and rough road conditions. Parking is only allowed in designated parking spaces and pullouts. Visitors are reminded not to park along roadways.

The roadway cracks formed following an intrusion of magma into the Upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano between July 22 and 25. Signs are in place to warn visitors of the new hazards.

Kīlauea is not erupting, and according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, additional seismic swarms can occur with little or no warning and result in another magma intrusion, or an eruption of lava.

For more information on trails and road closures, visit www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.