The Kīlauea summit area in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is temporarily closed due to dangerous amounts of tephra falling. Highway 11 is closed between mile markers 24 and 40 due to dangerous road conditions.
Kīlauea began erupting again at 9:17 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10. Lava fountains reached as high as 1,300 feet, producing large amounts of volcanic rock, ash and glass particles. Light and variable winds are causing the materials to fall over the summit, on the highway and in nearby communities. According to the park, tephra was still to falling at 2 p.m.
This marks episode 43 of the ongoing eruption.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued a Volcano Warning red at 10:54 a.m. Tephra chunks can cause abrasions and irritate eyes and breathing. Tephra debris can also cover road markings and can cause vehicles to skid and slide.
Park rangers evacuated visitors from the summit area of the park. All trails and outdoor overlooks in the vicinity of the summit are closed.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will reopen after the eruption ends and park staff can clear roadways and other areas of tephra.
Visit the park website for updates.
