Rumbling volcano forces immediate trail closures at popular vacation hot spot

Officials are monitoring renewed volcanic activity at one of Hawaii's most popular tourist destinations as hundreds of earthquakes and rockfall risks prompt temporary trail closures.

The U.S.

Geological Survey (USGS) issued a volcanic activity notice earlier this week for the Kīlauea volcano at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, reporting renewed spattering at two vents following recent activity beneath the summit.

The National Park Service (NPS) announced Wednesday that Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail would temporarily close amid increased seismic activity and concerns about rockfalls.

The closures affect a combined 1.3 miles of trails.

HUSBAND AND WIFE GET TRAPPED IN PREMIER HIKING DESTINATION; ONLY ONE OF THEM MAKES IT OUT ALIVE Over 200 shallow earthquakes were recorded beneath Kīlauea's summit during the past week, according to the NPS, citing the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

A magnitude-3.4 earthquake on Sept.

30 caused small rockfalls along the caldera's north wall.

Kīlauea remained at an ORANGE aviation color code, the second-highest level on the USGS' four-tier scale, as of Thursday.

The designation indicates heightened volcanic activity and the potential for an eruption, or an eruption underway with limited hazards to aviation.

The intrusion, which occurred from Sept.

30 to Oct.

1, is believed to have caused new cracks along the caldera floor, according to scientists.

Scientists said they cannot forecast when — or if — the volcano's 55th episode of lava fountaining will occur.