Towering Lava Fountains Force Closures at Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

Eruption triggers park and highway shutdowns due to falling volcanic debris

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The latest lava fountaining episode at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano reached heights of 1,000 feet on Tuesday, prompting temporary closures at the nearby national park and a partial shutdown of a major highway due to falling glassy volcanic fragments and ash.

Why it matters

Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and its periodic eruptions can pose risks to nearby communities and infrastructure. The latest fountaining event highlights the ongoing challenges of managing volcanic activity in a populated area.

The details

The lava fountains created a shower of volcanic tephra, which can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. The tephra also posed a threat to water catchment systems common on the Big Island. County officials opened a shelter for residents and tourists impacted by the road closure and falling debris.

  • The latest lava fountaining episode began on Tuesday morning.
  • The eruption has been ongoing for more than a year, with 43 episodes since it started in December 2024.

The players

Kilauea

One of the world's most active volcanoes, located on Hawaii's Big Island.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

A national park that surrounds Kilauea volcano and was temporarily closed due to the eruption.

Highway 11

An important route around Hawaii's Big Island that was partially closed due to the falling volcanic debris.

Hawaii County

The local government that opened a shelter for residents and tourists impacted by the eruption.

Tom Callis

A spokesperson for Hawaii County.

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What they’re saying

“Volcanic tephra can irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system, according to county officials. Tephra also can clog and cause other problems with water catchment collection systems, which are common in some parts of the Big Island, officials said.”

— Tom Callis, County Spokesperson (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall warning, and officials are monitoring the situation closely to determine when it may be safe to reopen the park and highway.

The takeaway

The latest eruption at Kilauea volcano serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks posed by Hawaii's active volcanoes, and the importance of emergency preparedness and coordination between local authorities and residents to manage the impacts of such events.