Main road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park opens to view spectacular new eruption

An official release from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park today announced the reopening of Chain of Craters Road, which leads from the Kilauea Caldera down to the ocean within the park. A new eruption that started on Wednesday has captivated the world. Kilauea, which has erupted continuously since 1983, is having an especially active year after another major east-rift zone eruption in March. It's a great time to see Pele — the Hawaiian Volcano goddess — in action.

If you want a guide, we offer a tour that takes you into the park and can get you to viewing sites of the flow, or a helicopter tour of the volcano park and other spectacular sights on Hawaii Island.

The release:

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

Hawai'i National Park, HI – 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. (Overhead view of the new lava flow that began two days ago. National Park Service photo.)

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.

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 (808) 985-6000.