Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Forces Trail Closures Amidst Renewed Activity

Officials are closely monitoring the Kīlauea volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park due to renewed volcanic activity and increased seismic events. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued a notice this week, reporting recent spattering at two vents following underground activity near the summit.

In response to heightened risks, the National Park Service (NPS) announced Wednesday the temporary closure of the Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and a portion of the Byron Ledge Trail. These closures encompass a combined 1.3 miles of pathways within the park.

Over 200 shallow earthquakes have been recorded beneath Kīlauea’s summit in the past week, according to the NPS, citing data from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. A magnitude-3.4 earthquake on September 30 caused minor rockfalls along the caldera's north wall.

As of Thursday, Kīlauea remained at an ORANGE aviation color code, the second-highest alert level on the USGS's four-tier scale. This designation signifies heightened volcanic activity with the potential for eruption, or an ongoing eruption with limited hazards to aviation.

Scientists believe a period of magma intrusion from September 30 to October 1 may have created new fissures on the caldera floor. However, the exact timing, or even the certainty, of the volcano's 55th eruption episode remains unpredictable.

"Forecast windows for episode 55 fountaining can no longer be modeled due to changes in conditions," the USGS advisory stated.

Park officials have also warned of potential hazards, including dangerous gas emissions and the presence of small, glassy volcanic fragments that can cause skin and eye irritation. Visitors are advised to avoid closed areas and stay clear of unstable cliff edges, which are prone to sudden collapse.

Kīlauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, with a history of frequent eruptions. Intermittent eruptive activity has been observed within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit since December 2024. The park often experiences increased visitor numbers during these eruptive phases, drawn by the opportunity to witness volcanic phenomena. In 2025, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park recorded over 1.8 million recreational visits.