Uncertainty at Kilauea Summit Prompts Safety Closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Uncertainty at the summit of Kilauea prompted safety closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Maui Now reported on October 7. New cracks that formed on the Kilauea caldera floor between September 30 and October 1 were measured by thermal camera at about 140 degrees on October 6, with steaming, warm ground indicating continued underground activity.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, a shallow magma intrusion beneath the summit in late September caused ground deformation and earthquake swarms, including a magnitude-3.4 earthquake on September 30 that triggered small rockfalls. While there was no sign of magmatic gas associated with the recent activity, the unstable ground and difficult evacuation routes led park officials to close the Halemaumau Trail and part of the Byron Ledge Trail — about 1.3 miles of hiking routes.
Kilauea's volcano alert level remains at WATCH, with the aviation color code at ORANGE. The current intermittent eruptive cycle began December 23, 2024, producing repeated episodes of lava fountaining; the most recent episode ended August 25, 2026.
Park officials urged visitors to stay out of closed areas and away from cliff edges, which can collapse without warning. The observatory continues to monitor the summit around the clock.
(Sources: Maui Now, U.S. Geological Survey)
Source: Maui Now、美国地质调查局
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：基拉韦厄火山哈雷茂茂火山口熔岩喷泉（2025年3月）。摄影：USGS／M. Patrick，公有领域，来源：Wikimedia Commons
