A map of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano shows a spike in earthquakes in the area, as officials monitor the situation closely.
Earthquakes have been rumbling through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea lies, since April 27.
The map shows orange circles indicating that the earthquakes have mainly occurred in the last two days. The size of the circles also shows how large the earthquakes were. According to the data, they have all ranged in magnitude from 1 to 3.
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While Kilauea is not erupting, the spike in earthquakes has prompted the closure of certain national park areas as a precaution to ensure the safety of visitors and staff should the volcano erupt.
However, there is still much uncertainty about the volcanic activity. The National Park gave an update on the closures as the earthquakes continue.
"Do you like big crowds, lots of traffic, and spending extra time looking for parking? Then make sure to visit the park today," the park said in a statement. "All sarcasm aside, expect delays at the entrance station and congestion at the summit of Kīlauea this week – there is a lot going on! Please slow down, be attentive and follow ranger directions and all posted signs."
The park also confirmed that the "significant increase in seismicity beneath the upper East Rift Zone" and the caldera continues.
In a previous update, the park said that "the gradual strengthening of seismic swarm" does suggest that an eruption could occur at Kīlauea's summit or below the upper East Rift Zone.
"Chain of Craters Road is closed past Devastation parking lot as a precaution. Kaʻū Desert Trail is also closed past the Footprints exhibit," the latest update said. "All the popular summit areas are open but will be crowded, especially the visitor center, Volcano House, Uēkahuna, Kīlauea Overlook, Kīlauea Iki, and Nāhuku. Try Puʻupuaʻi, Devastation and Keanakākoʻi."
Officials are advising people who want to avoid crowds altogether to visit Mauna Loa instead, the other major volcano in the park.
Kīlauea is an extremely active volcano and has been erupting regularly since 1983. Increased seismic activity like this is not unusual. The eruptions are usually small and remain within the crater, meaning they rarely pose a threat to surrounding communities.
Kīlauea is still considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Hawaii due to its past destructive eruptions, such as the one in 2018.
From May until August of that year, the volcano experienced a huge eruption that spewed large lava flows throughout the nearby Puna District, destroying more than 700 homes. The eruptions caused tens of thousands of earthquakes, and the summit area of the national park changed drastically as a result.
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Robyn White is a Newsweek Nature Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on wildlife, science and the ... Read more
