Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Kilauea Military Camp in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park has reopened following a nine hour eruption that began on Tuesday, March 10th, at 9:17am.
Park staff are currently working to clear large amounts of volcanic ash, rock, and glass (tephra) from the roadways, overlooks, and other areas around the summit of Kīlauea using heavy equipment and hand tools. Highway 11 is open, as are most trails accessible from trailheads in open areas at the summit.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is shooting lava fountains up to 1,000 feet, and falling ash and volcanic fragments are forcing temporary closures on the Big Island. The fountaining that began Tuesday morning marked the eruption's 43rd episode since it began in December 2024. pic.twitter.com/m8a9YJKq16
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 11, 2026
Kīlauea’s recent eruption began at 9:17am on Tuesday and continued until 6:18pm. Fountains of lava reached heights up to 1,300 feet, producing widespread tephra fall over visitor areas at the summit, on the highway, and in nearby communities. The deepest tephra fall in the park is at the Uēkahuna overlook and parking lot, both of which are currently closed with up to a foot of tephra covering the areas.
Visitors should drive slowly, as small particles of tephra can be pushed onto open roads that have been cleared by driving and wind, potentially covering road markings and causing skidding or sliding vehicles. Tephra is an irritant, despite being light and airy. Those heading to the Kīlauea summit should consider wearing eye protection, a dust mask, long sleeves, pants, and sturdy closed toe shoes. Do not handle tephra.
More information and guidance on tephra fall hazards can be found here and here. Updates on closures and openings around the park are available on the park website.
