Authorities are keeping a close eye on the increased volcanic activity at Kīlauea, a well-known tourist spot in Hawaii, where hundreds of earthquakes and the risk of rockfalls have led to temporary trail closures.
This week, the US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a notice regarding volcanic activity at Kīlauea, indicating that two vents have shown renewed spattering after recent underground movements beneath the summit.
On Wednesday, the National Park Service (NPS) announced that the Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of the Byron Ledge Trail would be temporarily closed due to the heightened seismic activity and concerns about potential rockfalls. In total, about 1.3 miles of trails will be affected.
According to the NPS, citing the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Kīlauea experienced over 200 shallow earthquakes in the week prior, including a magnitude-3.4 quake on September 30 that triggered minor rockfalls along the caldera’s north wall.
As of Thursday, Kīlauea is at an ORANGE aviation color code, which is the second highest on the USGS’s four-tier scale. This level suggests increased volcanic activity and the likelihood of an eruption, or it may indicate an ongoing eruption with minimal hazards for aviation.
Scientists believe that recent underground activity from September 30 to October 1 has resulted in new cracks on the caldera floor. However, they also mentioned the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the volcano’s 55th episode of lava fountaining.
The USGS advisory noted that “forecast windows for episode 55 fountaining can no longer be modeled due to changes in conditions,” which certainly adds to the unpredictability.
Furthermore, officials highlighted various hazards for residents and visitors alike, such as potentially harmful gas emissions and small, glassy volcanic fragments that can irritate the skin and eyes. They cautioned that these fragments could be exposed in windy conditions following recent eruptions.
It’s advised that everyone should limit their exposure to these fragments. Visitors are also reminded to stay clear of closed areas and unstable cliff edges, which could collapse unexpectedly.
Kīlauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and has erupted numerous times since 1952, with the USGS noting nearly continuous eruptions along its East Rift Zone from 1983 to 2018. This long stretch of activity ended amidst significant eruptive events and a summit collapse.
Since December 2024, there has been intermittent eruptive activity within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit.
The NPS has pointed out that the number of visitors tends to spike during these eruptive episodes, as tourists flock to witness the volcanic activity. In fact, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park recorded over 1.8 million recreational visits in 2025, according to NPS data.
The NPS has been contacted for further details and comments regarding the ongoing situation.
