Nearly 100 Earthquakes Shake Kīlauea, Prompting Park Closures
• Nearly 100 earthquakes were recorded beneath the summit of Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano over a 24-hour period, with the largest reaching a magnitude of 3.4 at 9:52 p.m. HST on September 30,
• The National Park Service has temporarily closed the Keanakāko‘i area in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park due to increased volcanic unrest and safety concerns. The closure includes Old Crater Rim Drive, overlooks near Keanakāko‘i Crater, and the Crater Rim Trail to Keanakāko‘i, though the Devastation Trail parking lot remains open. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that a shallow magma intrusion occurred overnight near the summit, with no new ground cracking or lava eruptions observed. The north vent experienced several overflows, including a small dome fountain, while the south and west vents showed intermittent activity.
Impact & Risks
The volcanic activity poses risks to visitors and residents near Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. High levels of sulfur dioxide emissions and potential vog (volcanic air pollution) could cause respiratory issues for those downwind of the vents. The closure of parts of the park impacts tourism and local businesses reliant on visitors. Additionally, the potential for further eruptions or ground instability remains a concern, which could lead to additional closures or evacuations.
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