Monitoring Volcanic Activity at Kīlauea: Trail Closures and Hazards

Officials are closely observing increased volcanic activity at Kīlauea, a major tourist spot in Hawaii. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently issued a warning after activity was detected at two vents in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The National Park Service (NPS) announced temporary closures for Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail. This decision comes amid heightened seismic activity and concerns over rockfalls, affecting 1.3 miles of trails.

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Over 200 shallow earthquakes have occurred beneath Kīlauea’s summit recently, as reported by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. On September 30, a magnitude-3.4 earthquake led to small rockfalls on the north wall of the caldera.

Kīlauea currently has an ORANGE aviation color code, the second-highest level. This signals significant volcanic activity and a potential eruption with limited hazards to aviation.

An intrusion from September 30 to October 1 possibly caused new cracks in the caldera floor. Scientists stated they’re unable to predict when – or if – the 55th episode of lava fountaining will occur due to changing conditions.

Officials highlighted several risks, including dangerous gas emissions and volcanic fragments that may irritate skin and eyes. USGS noted that these small fragments might become airborne during windy conditions.

Visitors should avoid closed areas and unstable cliff edges that can collapse unexpectedly. Kīlauea remains one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with numerous eruptions since 1952.

The East Rift Zone experienced nearly continuous activity from 1983 to 2018, ending with a significant eruption and summit collapse. Since December 2024, an intermittent eruption has been ongoing within Halema’uma’u crater.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has seen increased visits during Kīlauea’s eruptions. In 2025, there were over 1.8 million recreational visits. Tourism surged as visitors sought opportunities to witness volcanic activity firsthand.

Fox News Digital contacted NPS for more details and comments.