Almost two years after earthquakes and volcanic eruptions forced the closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island, one of its most unusual attractions has reopened: the Nahuku-Thurston Lava Tube.
, reopened to visitors on Thursday, nearly 22 months after it and the rest of the park were evacuated in 2018 after several strong earthquakes shook Hawaii Island, sending lava to the surface that flowed over roads and destroyed neighborhoods.
The tube, discovered more than a century ago, is essentially a cave that was created as massive amounts of molten rock reshaped the subterranean landscape. It is tall enough for adults to walk through. The trek along the access trail, through ferns and into the tube, takes about 20 minutes and covers about one-half mile.
Parts of the park began to reopen Sept. 22, 2018, but the tube remained closed for safety reasons. The seismic and volcanic activity dislodged several large rocks from the cave’s ceiling, and rangers also discovered new cracks in the hardened lava.Rangers at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island inspect the roots of ohia trees that have grown down through the cave’s ceiling. Visitors are warned not to touch the roots or the walls of lava.
A geology expert, a mining engineer and other specialists determined the lava tube could reopen after being stabilized. Lighting repairs and work to drain water from the walkway also were completed.Roots of the ohia trees above the cave have grown down through the ceiling. Rangers warn visitors not to touch them because the trees are fragile.The lava tube is open 24 hours a day, but illuminated only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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