Kilauea’s eruption at Napau Crater continues
UPDATED 3:20 p.m.
Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been reopened.
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Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground also are now open to traffic.
Maunaulu Trail and parking area, Napau Trail and Naulu Trail remain closed to all use due to continued eruption hazards including gas emissions and for potential wildland fire.
“Escape Road” is open from Highway 11 to the Mauna Ulu Parking lot access road closure.
The eruption at Napau Crater continues and serious hazards still exist, according to HVNP.
PREVIOUSLY
Kilauea’s eruption at the remote Napau Crater continues this morning, with lava still confined to the crater floor.
According to a Hawaiian Volcano Observatory update, the volcanic vent that opened Tuesday morning within the crater is still emitting lava, which has now covered about 30% of the crater floor.
Lava fountaining could not be observed this morning due to dense fumes.
Sulfur dioxide emission rates were recorded at about 12,000 metric tons per day Tuesday morning, but dropped to about 3,700 metric tons in the afternoon. HVO hypothesized that the drop could reflect a decrease in overall effusion, or just indicate that the easternmost fissures of the eruption have become less active over time.
However, HVO reported that based on the reduced emissions and vent activity, as well as historical eruptions in the crater, this current eruption might already be waning.
The fissure system in Napau is about 0.3 miles long, and cuts a line from west to east across the crater.
HVO reported that patterns of deflation at Kilauea summit indicate that only the deeper portions of the volcano’s magma system are now supplying magma to the middle East Rift Zone, where Napau Crater is located.
All volcanic activity is still currently confined to the middle East Rift Zone, with no indications of changes further east.
HVO is continuing to monitor the situation, and its alert level for Kilauea remains at “Watch,” while its aviation color code also is still set to “Orange.”
Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remains closed to the public.
