03/11/2026
🌋Episode kanahā kūmākolu (43) of the Kīlauea eruption has begun. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption began at 9:17 a.m. HST. Vigorous fountaining has started.
⁉️Plan to visit? Be prepared! Light winds at the summit will impact air quality in the park and surrounding communities today.
💯Monitor air quality: https://www.nps.gov/havo/air-quality-alert.htm. If volcanic gas (vog) levels are unhealthy or if lava fountains start and tephra is falling, leave the area.
🥽 Protect yourself from tephra if it begins to fall. Seek shelter indoors or in your vehicle. Eye protection, a hat, long sleeves, long pants and gloves are recommended. A mask will protect against tephra but does not protect you from volcanic gas.
🚗Expect the park to be busy with heavy traffic near the entrance and on Highway 11.
🛑SLOW down. Heed all posted signs, expect detours, and listen to park rangers.
🏠 First-time? Make the Welcome Center your first stop. Excellent eruption viewing with plenty of parking is nearby. After you enter the park, take Crater Rim Drive West to Kilauea Military Camp, just a mile away.
🚙 Park in designated areas only. Do not park in the road, block emergency access or other vehicles. You could get towed.
🚧Stay out of closed areas!!! This is for your safety and the safety of our first responders!
🤚 Stay AWAY from cliff edges and keep keiki (children) close!
🚶🏽➡️Pedestrians: pay attention to traffic and use sidewalks and crosswalks.
👀 Look out for nēnē (native geese) on roads, roadsides and parking lots. Never feed nēnē and give them space.
📲 Check the park website for alerts, viewing areas, and USGS webcams & livestreams: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm
NPS Photo of lava beginning to erupt within Halemaʻumaʻu crater with an ʻʻōhiʻa tree in the left foreground.
