November 17, 2025 — Measuring a crack in Crater Rim Drive

The west portion of Crater Rim Drive in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was damaged during the Kīlauea summit collapse of 2018. This area has remained closed to the public, being impacted by tephrafall and volcanic gas during recent eruptions. U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists measure one of many cracks in the road, which sometimes show movement associated with earthquakes or new fissure vent openings. These changes underscore the many hazards that can occur within the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.  USGS photo by N. Kohagura.