Kilauea explosion closes parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

VOLCANO, Hawaii — An explosion atop the erupting Kilauea volcano has forced parts of the popular Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to remain closed today because of high sulfur dioxide levels and volcanic debris.

The explosion Wednesday rained gravel-sized rocks onto a lookout, road and trail. Part of the popular Chain of Craters road and some trails within the park near the summit are closed: "Elevated volcanic gas levels are dangerous to everyone and has prompted these closures in the interest of visitor safety," said the park on its Web site.

It was the first explosion in Kilauea's main Halemaumau Crater since 1924, scattering debris over an area of about 75 acres, said Jim Kauahikaua, scientist-in-charge at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Big Island of Hawaii.

No lava erupted as part of the explosion. The lack of lava at the site suggests it was caused by hydrothermal or gas buildup, Kauahikaua said.

Scientists monitoring the summit say there's a "remote possibility" of an eruption inside the half-mile-wide crater, but it's unlikely because other indicators of an eruption aren't present.

The 4,190-foot volcano has been erupting from fissures along its side steadily for more than a quarter century. The popular park draws thousands of people daily, with a visitors center and lodge near the crater rim.

While no lava was emitted by Wednesday's eruption, lava is steadily flowing from a vent on Kilauea's slopes outside of the park, on the east flank of the volcano. Locals and tourists have been flocking to see the oozing, fiery flows at a lava-viewing area opened by the county at the end of Highway 130. (Get details at http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lavaflows.htm and phone for a recorded lava-update message at 808-961-8093.)

Gas precautions, park closures

After Wednesday's eruption of Kilauea, fire and police authorities are creating emergency plans to evacuate nearby villages if the winds blow toxic gasses in their direction, said Duane Hosaka at Hawaii County Civil Defense. So far, the volcano's gas emissions continue to move toward the sea, rather than over populated areas.

"There's no evacuation or advisories. We're still in the planning stages in case something happens so we'll be prepared," Hosaka said.

The explosion followed three months of increased activity in the crater, which has been releasing sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide at levels higher than the dirtiest coal-fired power plant in the United States, said Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geochemist Jeff Sutton.

The American Lung Association of Hawaii advised people in the area to stay indoors, use air conditioners, avoid smoking, stock up on respiratory medications and quickly contact doctors if lung conditions deteriorate.

Rocks shot from Wednesday's explosion damaged a wooden fence that visitors used to peer into the crater and created hazards across nearby roads and paths. Areas in the park that are shut because of explosive debris or high sulfur dioxide levels are:

• Crater Rim Drive between Kilauea Military Campsouth/southeast to Chain of Craters Road.

• Crater Rim Trail from Jaggar Museum parking lot south/southeast to Chain of Craters Road.

• All trails leading to Halema`uma`u crater are closed including those from Byron Ledge, 'Iliahi (Sandalwood) Trail, and Ka'u Desert Trail.

Rocks shot from the explosion damaged a wooden fence that visitors used to peer into the crater and created hazards across nearby roads and paths.

Kristin Jackson of Seattle Times Travel contributed to this report.