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Kilauea Watch alert prompts Halema‘uma‘u trail closure

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 4:23 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

NPS Closes Trails

U.S. National Park Service closed Halema‘uma‘u Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Over 200 shallow earthquakes occurred beneath Kilauea’s summit during the past week.
Six more shallow quakes were recorded in the 24 hours preceding the trail closures.
Officials warned of dangerous gas emissions and glassy volcanic fragments that can irritate skin and eyes.

Summary

USGS Issues Watch

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory placed Kilauea on WATCH alert, noting the September 30-October 1 intrusion remains inactive.
Tiltmeters recorded minor summit inflation while north and south vents showed faint spattering and strong glow overnight.
Interferograms from September 24 and October 2 mapped a shallow dike crossing Kaluapele’s northwest rim, about 300 m below surface.
If magma pressure and gas rise, renewed lava-fountaining could occur or new shallow vents may open near Halema‘uma‘u’s north wall.

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NPS Closes Trails

U.S. National Park Service closed Halema‘uma‘u Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Over 200 shallow earthquakes occurred beneath Kilauea’s summit during the past week.
Six more shallow quakes were recorded in the 24 hours preceding the trail closures.
Officials warned of dangerous gas emissions and glassy volcanic fragments that can irritate skin and eyes.

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