Widened cracks due to seismic action on Chain of Craters Road, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park / NPS file
Whether Kīlauea volcano is erupting or not (it’s not), things are still seismically active at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Cracks on Chain of Craters Road that formed on July 21 between Hilina Pali Road intersection and the Maunaulu parking lot have widened due to this continued seismic activity, so the park has temporarily closed the road to more thoroughly assess the damage.
The closure begins at the intersection of Crater Rim Drive East and Chain of Craters Road, at the Devastation Trail parking area, and continues to the coast.
While you cannot drive on the road, you can still bicycle and walk it. As a matter of fact, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, located off Hilina Pali Road, is accessible only by biking or walking in.
The park will continue to monitor Chain of Craters Road and will reopen it to vehicles when it is safe to do so. Park visitors are urged to plan ahead and check the park website for any closure or hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes.
