Although Kīlauea volcano is not erupting, it is showing further signs of increased unrest as earthquakes spike in the upper East Rift Zone near Puhimau Crater. As a precaution, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has closed Chain of Craters Road at the intersection near Devastation parking lot and nearby areas.

Kīlauea summit remains open between Uēkahuna and Puʻupuaʻi, including Nāhuku lava tube, but Devastation Trail and parking area and the Keanakākoʻi Crater side of Kīlauea caldera are temporarily closed.

The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is closely monitoring the seismic increase and change in activity on Kīlauea volcano. 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.”

Due to unrest in the area south-southwest of Kīlauea caldera, Mauna Iki Trail and a section of Kaʻū Desert Trail have been closed since October past the Footprints exhibit to the Mauna Iki Trail intersection. The Footprints exhibit remains open and accessible from Highway 11.

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

Photo credit: HVNP