The park, which was closed late on Wednesday morning due to elevated levels of sulfur dioxide gas, remained closed yesterday. Stagnant weather prevailed again on Thursday, making it unwise and unhealthy for visitors to be on the summit overlook or on park trails. The park is situated on two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The toxic, invisible gas of concern is being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kilauea and from Pu‘u ‘O‘o on the volcano’s east rift. This year, SO2 emissions from Halema‘uma‘u have been as high as ten times above normal levels. “We're in a new layer of complexity,” said superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Fortunately, the park has a cadre of rangers adept at opening and closing areas in the wake of critical health and safety concerns.” A handful of NPS emergency responders remain on duty. They are equipped with real-time personal SO2 monitors. The park will reopen when favorable weather returns and the threat of unhealthy sulfur dioxide levels diminish. Residents and visitors continue to visit the lava viewing site at the end of Highway 130 near Kalapana, operated by the County of Hawai'i.
