Increased earthquakes prompt closures in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Areas within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are closed as earthquakes rattle the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea.

The sudden rise in earthquakes was noted starting at 11 a.m. on Monday. According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, it is unknown if the current conditions will lead to an eruption soon or if magma will remain confined below ground.

However, an eruption in the upper East Rift Zone of Kīlauea is one potential outcome.

The following closures include:

• Chain of Craters Road from the intersection at Devastation parking lot to the coast.
• Kulanaokuaiki Campground is closed.
• Crater Rim Trail south of Nāhuku lava tube is closed.
• Coastal backcountry areas and Nāpau sites are closed. All new backcountry permits for those areas are canceled.
• Escape Road is closed from Nāhuku to Maunaulu.

“It is never an easy decision to close areas, but it is the right thing to do. Safety is always our top priority,” said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. “We remain in constant communication with scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and will continue to notify the public of any changes.”

The uptick in activity has not impacted traffic safety or infrastructure projects at the summit.
Many popular areas in the park remain open, including Kīlauea Visitor Center, overlooks along Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House and Nāhuku.

However, it is a busy time of year and the visitor center parking lot was filled by 10 a.m.

Risks include the uncertainty of where an eruption could break out, the potential for elevated volcanic gases, dangerous lava flows, damaging earthquakes and lava-ignited wildfires.

Park visitors are urged to plan ahead and check the park website for any closure or hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.