Swarm of earthquakes near Kilauea forces closure of several parks

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has temporarily closed several areas of the park, including Chain of Craters Road, due to a sudden series of earthquakes and ground deformation at Kilauea’s summit and upper eastern rift zone.

According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, 162 earthquakes have occurred in the past two days. Today, there were 38 in a two-hour period.

Of the 38, 35 had magnitudes of 1 to 3, and two had magnitudes of 3 to 4. The largest had a magnitude of 3.1.

The park stressed in a press release that Kilauea is not erupting, but said activity began around 11 a.m. Monday in the upper eastern rift zone. If the volcano does erupt, it could pose a risk to visitors and staff. As a result, the following areas are closed:

>> Chain of Craters Road from the intersection at the Devastation parking lot to the coast

>> Kulanaokuaiki Campsite

>> Crater Rim Trail south of the Nahuku lava tube

>> Coastal backcountry and Napau locations. All new backcountry permits for those areas have been canceled.

>> Escape Route from Nahuku to Maunaulu

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

The uncertainty of where an eruption might occur increases the potential dangers to visitors and personnel. They include increased volcanic gases, dangerous lava flows, damaging earthquakes, and lava-fueled wildfires.

USGS HVO scientists are keeping a close eye on conditions. A report on the site mid-afternoon says: “At this time, there are no signs of an impending eruption; however, conditions could change rapidly.”

Many popular visitor areas remain open, including the Kilauea Visitor Center, which overlooks the Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House, and Nahuku.

The park is quite busy and the parking lot at the visitor center was already full at 10am today.

Visitors should plan ahead and check the park’s website for any closures or hazard warnings: www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.