Status of the Park: OPEN

Check LOCAL WEATHER updates for weather conditions and advisories in the vicinity of the park's Kilauea Visitor Center - 4,000'. ISLAND WEATHER gives the larger weather picture.

Portions of the Park are Closed
Current Closures are listed below (use links to see details on closures):

• A portion of Crater Rim Drive, between Jaggar Museum and the Chain of Craters Road junction, is closed indefinitely due to the new vent that opened within Halema`uma`u Crater in March 2008. Note: Chain of Craters Road remains OPEN. Lava flows are flowing to the ocean both inside and outside the eastern boundary of the park. However, lava is very far (9 to 11 miles roundtrip) from the end of Chain of Craters Road within the park. The easiest access for visitors is outside the park, via Hwy 130. For more information visit: Lava Flows to the Ocean.
  
  HAZARD ALERT: The lava delta and adjacent areas both inland and out to sea are some of the most hazardous areas on the flow field. Frequent delta/bench collapses give little warning, can produce hot rock falls inland and in the adjacent ocean, and can produce large but local waves. The steam plume produced by lava entering the ocean contains fine lava fragments and an assortment of acid droplets that can be harmful to your health. The rapidly changing conditions near the ocean entry have been responsible for many injuries and a few deaths.
  
  Bubble bursts and steam jets from the Waikupanaha bench attracts a lot of attention when they occur. However, these phenomena can be a prelude to a bench collapse as they are caused by bench cracks allowing seawater access to the active lava tube. Overflights of the area by scientists confirmed that cracking has occurred and may be continuing.
  
  Even though it doesn't build large benches, the Waikupanaha bench has collapsed frequently and produced an unusually high volume of explosion ejecta. This memo is a reminder that hazards do exist around lava ocean entry sites and benches and this entry at this time may be particularly hazardous.
  
• The Ka`u Desert Trail is closed from Jaggar Museum to Pepeiao Cabin. The Ka`u Desert Trailhead on Hwy 11 and the Mauna Iki trailhead on Hilina Pali Road and all areas between the two trailheads is closed (including the trail leading to the Footprints area and beyond to Mauna Iki and the Mauna Iki trailhead on Hilina Pali Road).
• The Halema`uma`u Trail and the Byron Ledge Trail leading across Kilauea Caldera is closed. The Crater Rim Trail from Jaggar Museum to the junction with Chain of Craters Road is closed.
• Napau Crater, Pu`u `O`o, and the park's eastern boundary are closed. 

Advisory on Potential Closures:

The prevailing northeast tradewinds generally blow fumes from the volcano away from visitor areas. However, during times of weak winds or winds from the south (the opposite direction), volcanic fumes may impact visitor areas, prompting the park to close. Please be flexible and alert.

What should you do when you notice hazy/smoky/smog-like conditions (VOG)?:

• If you are indoors (hotel, visitor center, etc.) - stay indoors with windows closed and air conditioning or air filter turned on - until conditions improve. You may be asked to evacuate.
• If driving a car: Keep vehicle windows closed and run your car air conditioner until you leave the area. 

Park rangers monitor air quality and will advise visitors when the situation prompts a closure.  When a closure is ordered, please leave the area in an orderly manner with everyone's safety in mind. See: Visitor Alert - SO2 Advisory

NPS photo by N. Judd (April 18, 2008)

Fumes roil skyward from the new vent within Halema`uma`u. A light dusting of pink ash from explosion 3 may be seen to the right of the crater.(click on photo for larger version)

Visitor Alert - Kilauea is currently emitting elevated levels of sulphur dioxide gas and an ash-laden fume cloud from a new vent within Halema`uma`u crater.

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continue to record elevated sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas levels at the summit of Kilauea volcano. 

Closure of certain areas of the park may become necessary during times when winds vary from the normal northeast tradewind pattern. Trades generally blow the plume (cloud of gasses and ash coming out of the vent) away from visitor areas. Park personnel and scientists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are monitoring the situation closely.

So2 is a hidden volcanic hazard. Exposure to the invisible gas can aggravate pre-existing heart and breathing problems such as asthma. Elevated volcanic gas levels are dangerous to everyone.

For More Information, Go To:
What's Going on with the Volcano?
Halema`uma`u - New Vent
Daily Scientist's Updates
Air Quality Monitors 
What is VOG? Fact Sheet by USGS scientists

USGS photo

Lava flow destroys native hapu`u tree fern and ohi`a forest. Click on photo for larger version.

The following closures are in effect due to recent volcanic activity. Visitors are reminded to obey all Closed Area signs:

• The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has closed the Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve, which includes Pu`u `O`o and the new eruption site east of it, due to hazardous conditions.
• The park's eastern boundary in the Puna district near Kalapana is closed.
• The trail beyond Napau Campground will remain closed due to hazardous conditions at Pu‘u O‘o.
• Pu`u `O`o remains closed; the cinder and spatter cone is extremely unstable and its collapse continues.

Link to What's Going On with the Volcano?

Closure of Lae`apuki lava delta:
The east Lae`apuki lava delta collapsed almost completely on August 13, 2007. According to scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the collapse may have occured due to a 5.4 magnitude earthquake, high waves from approaching hurricane Flossie, or both. This highlights the instability of coastal areas, especially lava deltas which form when lava enters the ocean forming new land that extends out from the old coastline. This new land is built on sand and rubble, very unstable, and prone to collapse without warning. 

In addition to Lae‘apuki, other lava deltas are closed:
Wilipea bench, the west Highcastle beach, and the Highcastle beach are closed and marked with area closure signs. These areas are closed because they are extremely unstable and poised to collapse without warning.