Another Vent at VNP

This is not normal is it? I just went to see what was going on with the volcano and now another vent is going off. I may be over paranoid, but is there anything to worry about with this new activity. Should I cancel my trip or cut the 7 days in half? Thanks in advance, this is all new to me.

Visitor Alert - Kilauea is currently emitting elevated levels of sulphur dioxide gas and an ash-laden fume cloud from a new vent within Halema`uma`u crater.

Another Vent at VNP

I think what you may be referring to is the March 10 vent. If it%26#39;s considered to be dangerous they will close the park, at least until things calm down. The rest of the island is generally OK. Unless you were planning to stay in Volcano House for 7 days I wouldn%26#39;t worry. This is definitely an unusual occurrence, but it%26#39;s being well-monitored for danger to the public.

Another Vent at VNP

ok maybe i read it wrong. when they posted the update today it said because of a new vent, but it was probably referring to the vent in March. that makes sense and i was worried that we had another one to deal with. guess i probably won%26#39;t have a chance or even want to go to the park after all. thanks for the clarification.

Here%26#39;s the latest, April 23, 2008 - Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is CLOSED due to concentrations of sulphur dioxide that have exceeded the pre-determined closure threshold. The park will reopen when conditions change.

I wouldn%26#39;t avoid the park, assuming it%26#39;s open. It%26#39;s a really neat place, and the latest activity may be something you%26#39;ll never see again.

Bugger.... I hope it reopens in the next week or 2!!! :)

The trades are supposed to be back this weekend, which should clear the gas out. Of course, nothing is ever certain, nor can you ever predict what the volcano will or won%26#39;t do.

The UPDATES and CLOSURES topic I just bumped again was started to keep people apprised of the developments, including the new vent -- which is now not so new.

The topic is there to be updated by anyone, not just me, when there%26#39;s a closure.

Also if you look around there are several different current topics discussing people%26#39;s thoughts on trip cancellation.

as of 1130 today the entire park is now closed and an area of risk exists on Hiway 11 west ot the Volcano and up the South west coast to south of Kona/Keauhou.

Check the NPS site daily

this is not a joke....or a drill....

Let me see, BI with a volcano that has been pretty active since 1986 or stay in California where all you have is earthquakes, mud slides, fire storms and drought...hummmmm...lol

Unless you have some sort of compromised breathing issue you will be fine. They will close the park (or parts of it) if it becomes dangerous.

hi summer.

just want to apologize for referring you back to your own topic on vog ... I failed to put your name together with your other topic.

It%26#39;s possible that Halema%26#39;uma%26#39;u could erupt, but no one knows. There%26#39;s shallow magma; there have been explosions; this would be the first summit eruption in decades, if it happened. Obviously it would affect the VNP; the lava has been continuous since 1982, yes, but in remote areas, not the center of the park.

This S02 hasn%26#39;t been like this ever since I%26#39;ve lived here. It%26#39;s definitely a new phase, and anyone planning on seeing the park may be thwarted. There is still a whole lot of island to see though. But if the park is the main thing, it is a gamble right now. But remember that the closures have been minute compared to the days it%26#39;s been open.

Wish I could read the future, but no can do!

Thanks Kamaainak. I really want to see the Big Island and I do plan on it (not sure on how many days). My concern was that I do actually have breathing issues. Not necessarily as bad as some, but I get allergy shots and started acupuncture for my allergies and asthma. I understand that it%26#39;s unpredictable at any time and wish you could tell us the future too :). It%26#39;s just hard because I do have the option to skip the BI this year and return next year if/when things return to normal. I probably will go, but save VNP for another trip.