Towering Lava Fountains Trigger Closures at Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

Eruption reaches 1,000 feet high, prompting 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 up to 1,000 feet high on Tuesday, leading to temporary closures at the surrounding national park and a major highway. The towering fountains of bright-red lava and smoke have been ongoing for over a year, though the molten rock has remained contained within the volcano's summit crater and has not threatened nearby homes or buildings. However, the falling volcanic fragments and ash, known as tephra, have created hazards for the local community, prompting officials to open a shelter and issue an ashfall warning.

Why it matters

Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and its ongoing eruption has become a major tourist draw as well as a source of concern for nearby residents. The lava fountains and resulting tephra can pose risks to public safety, infrastructure, and the environment, requiring coordinated response efforts from local authorities.

The details

The latest lava fountaining episode began on Tuesday morning, marking the 43rd such event since the eruption started in December 2024. The molten rock reached heights of up to 1,000 feet, creating a dazzling display but also prompting the temporary closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park around the summit and a partial shutdown of the important Highway 11 on either side of the park. County officials also opened a shelter for residents and tourists impacted by the road closure or falling tephra, which can irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory system, as well as clog water collection systems.

  • The latest lava fountaining episode began on Tuesday morning, March 11, 2026.
  • The eruption at Kilauea volcano has been ongoing for over a year, since it started in December 2024.

The players

Kilauea Volcano

One of the world's most active volcanoes, located on Hawaii's Big Island and part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

A U.S. national park that protects the summit of the Kilauea volcano and other volcanic features on the Big Island.

Highway 11

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

Hawaii County

The local government authority that opened a shelter and coordinated response efforts to the volcanic 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 (wbal.com)

What’s next

Officials will continue to monitor the situation at Kilauea volcano and make any necessary adjustments to park and road closures based on the ongoing lava fountaining and tephra fall.

The takeaway

The eruption at Kilauea volcano serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of Hawaii's active volcanoes, which can pose significant risks to nearby communities even when the lava remains contained. Coordinated emergency response and public awareness efforts are crucial for managing the impacts of such volcanic events.