Chain of Craters Road Reopens for Spectacular Evening Views of Kilauea Eruption

NPS photo by Greg Santos

Early morning view of lava flowing from the west flank vents on Puu Oo

Date: August 4, 2011
Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6011

Officials at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reopened Chain of Craters Road at 4 p.m. today, after a 24-hour closure resulting from new eruptive activity at Kīlauea volcano's Pu'u 'Ō'ō crater.  Park rangers are stationed near sea level at the bottom of Chain of Craters Road, at Pu'u Huluhulu and at Jaggar Museum to inform visitors of the latest conditions and best viewing opportunities.

On Wed., Aug. 3, the crater floor and lava lake within Pu'u 'Ō'ō collapsed and lava flowed out of its west flank. Scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitored a rapid deflation of the crater floor and lava lake, and by 3:15 p.m. yesterday, the collapse began.

 Visitors to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park are able to view dramatic glows from the new Pu'u 'Ō'ō eruption from several vantage points within the park, including Pu'u Huluhulu, the Jaggar Museum overlook, and from the bottom of Chain of Craters Road.

 "For the more adventurous, a short mile-and-a-half round-trip hike to Pu'u Huluhulu puts you in the line of site of the vent and new lava flows off the west flank of Pu'u 'Ō'ō," said Chief Ranger Talmadge Magno. "And, weather permitting, the glow is apparent after sunset as the daylight obscures any redness. Visitors can also drive to the end of Chain of Craters Road and look up and see the glow," he said.

 Chief of Interpretation Jim Gale posted video to the park's website: http://www.nps.gov/havo/photosmultimedia/eruption-20110803.htm.

In addition, Kīlauea's summit eruption at Halema'uma'u crater continues, and visitors can often hear the roar from rocks exploding off crater walls, and can observe a beautiful red glow after nightfall. Rangers reported that the new incandescence from Pu'u 'Ō'ō is also visible from the Jaggar Museum overlook.

 Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, conditions permitting. For eruption updates, call [phone].

 And while visitors are enjoying new lava activity, a six-person fire crew has contained approximately 80 percent of a wildfire ignited by lava on the southern end of the flow, approximately one acre in size. Another fire on the north end of the flow continues to burn, and is being monitored by fire officials.