Hawaii National Park expands closures surrounding Kilauea volcano
Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The current eruption cyclone began on September 29, 2021, and has been off and on ever since. The volcano is over 100 miles from Honolulu. An eruption in 2018 destroyed more than 700 homes and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Despite the impactful event, no lives were lost.
Spectacular footage gives close-up view of Kilauea's eruption in Hawaii
Lava continued to spew from vents at the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island on Thursday after an eruption began on Sunday afternoon, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
HONOLULU – Earthquake activity associated with Hawaii’s most active volcano is on the uptick, which has forced authorities to shut down parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the Kilauea volcano is not erupting but has shown more signs of increased unrest in the form of earthquake spikes in the upper East Rift Zone.
"Decisions to temporarily close areas of the park are never easy but are made as a precaution. Kīlauea volcano is very restless right now, and safety is our utmost priority. When USGS notifies us of significant changes, we will re-evaluate area closures," Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh said in a statement.
OFFICIALS WARN HAWAII’S KILAUEA VOLCANO COULD RESUME ERUPTING AT ANY TIME
![Lava continued to spew from vents at the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island on Thursday after an eruption began on Sunday afternoon.]()
Image 1 of 5Lava continued to spew from vents at the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island on Thursday after an eruption began on Sunday afternoon. (Aprille Manzano via Storyful)
![Hawaii Kilauea volcano camera]()
Image 2 of 5Kilauea volcano camera on 10-7-2023 (USGS)
![A thermal map of Kilauea's summit shows an area of active lava fountaining east of Halema‘uma‘u crater (lower right), with lava pouring west onto the crater floor.]()
Image 3 of 5A thermal map of Kilauea's summit shows an area of active lava fountaining east of Halema‘uma‘u crater (lower right), with lava pouring west onto the crater floor. (@USGSVolcanoes via X)
![Kilauea summit eruption in Hawaii]()
Image 4 of 5An aerial view of Kilauea volcano as it began to erupt around 4:44 a.m. on June 7, 2023 in Hawaii, United States. The eruption at Kilaueaâs summit is occurring within a closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and high levels of volcanic gas are the primary concern. (USGS)
![Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano began to erupt on Sunday, September 10, 2023. This is the volcano's third eruption this year.]()
Image 5 of 5Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano began to erupt on Sunday, September 10, 2023. This is the volcano's third eruption this year. (USGS)
No unusual activity was noted in other sections of the rift zone, which would indicate a higher likelihood of volcanic activity.
According to USGS, "unrest may continue to wax and wane with changes to the input of magma into the area, and eruptive activity could occur in the near future with little or no warning."
Some sections of tails have been closed since October to decrease chances that visitors are exposed to rockslides and other side effects of earthquakes.
A year ago, the park closed the summit of Mauna Loa due to the threats associated with increased volcanic activity.
Mauna Loa is exhibiting normal activity and was last reported to be in code green, while Kīlauea is one step ahead of Mauna Loa and is considered to be under code yellow.
Volcanoes considered to be under an orange or red alert indicate a heightened unrest with eruptions that are considered to be imminent or underway.
Mauna Loa volcano showing low-level activity after threat decreases
Deputy Scientist-in-Charge at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory David Phillips tracks the latest on the eruption.