Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closed as fears rise over ‘explosive’ eruption
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will shut down from Friday amid growing fears of an ‘explosive’ steam-induced eruption.
Volcanologists said a summit eruption at Kilauea Volcano could spew ash, steam and toxic sulphur and could even send massive 10-ton boulders shooting out of its summit crater.
The US Geological Survey said the volcano could shoot large rocks up to a mile away and volcanic dust as far away as Hilo, which is about 30 miles.
Scientists said this may happen as the lava level drops due to seepage from the various vents which have been created over the past few days.
This then causes magma to heat water and produce steam which could be powerful enough to eject large rocks into the air.
Don Swanson, a geologist with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said the magma could drop below the water table in a few days
More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from areas surrounding the volcano and about 30 homes have been destroyed by lava flows.
However general tourism is mostly unaffected as the main resort areas are about 100 miles away.
Flights to and from Kona and Hilo airports are continuing as normal.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports