Scientists wait out Kilauea’s next move

Some roads and trails stay closed after a series of small quakes

Scientists and firefighters remained alert yesterday in anticipation of new activity by the world's most active volcano, Kilauea.

The volcano seemed to be catching its breath after an eventful week that began with hundreds of small earthquakes and led to a new eruption site.

No lava was visible from the flow field or Pu'u O'o, where craters have collapsed as a result of the earthquakes that began June 17, according to the observatory's Web site.

Still closed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are some roads, trails and areas near the upper East Rift Zone, where the quakes occurred. Chain of Craters Road, Hilina Pali Road, east rift and coastal trails and Pu'u O'o remain closed.

A crack that formed on June 18 west of Kane Nui o Hamo is still spewing steam and potentially harmful sulfuric fumes, but that activity is slowing down, scientists said. Since Saturday, only two earthquakes were detected in that area.

Scientists are expected to work with 10 firefighters who flew in from California to minimize lava-fire damage to the rain forest, home to endangered plants and animals.