National park offers viewing, safety tips if you plan to visit during Episode 50 of Kīlauea lava fountaining

Kīlauea volcano is erupting again.

Episode Kanalima (50) of the ongoing episodic summit eruption began shortly after 10 a.m. June 27. All eruptive activity and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu Crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Park managers are not expecting temporary closures at this time; however, a post just before 11 a.m. Saturday by Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park reminded that could change based on wind direction, volcanic gas and tephra (volcanic material) fallout.

The park also offered several tips for those planning to visit during the lava fountaining episode.

Follow this check list:

• Stay out of closed areas. Serious injuries happened in closed areas, and entering puts you and park staff at risk. Excellent, safe viewing opportunities are available in open areas.
• Stay away from cliff edges; they are unstable and undercut. If you feel the ground shaking, move farther away from the caldera edge.
• Monitor air quality. If unhealthy levels of volcanic gas are present or tephra starts falling, leave the area.
• Temporary closures could occur if vog — volcanic fog — or tephra create hazardous conditions.
• Protect yourself from tephra. Shelter inside or in your vehicle and use eye protection, a hat, long sleeves/pants and gloves, if necessary. Dust masks help protect your respiratory system from tephra (not vog).
• Expect heavy traffic near the park entrance and along Highway 11.
• Slow down, follow signs, watch for detours and listen to rangers.
• Park only in designated areas; don’t block roads or emergency access.
• Do NOT leave valuables in your car — most break-ins happen when items are left visible.
• Pedestrians should stay alert and use sidewalks/crosswalks.
• Watch for nēnē (Hawaiian geese) on roads and in parking lots; never feed wildlife.
• Check park alerts, viewing areas, webcams and livestreams online.

Most lava fountaining episodes continued for a day or less since the ongoing episodic eruption began Dec. 23, 2024, within Halemaʻumaʻu.