(BIVN) – The increasing rate and intensity of earthquakes at the summit crater of Kīlauea Volcano, as well as the “corrosive volcanic ash, and continuing explosions from Halema‘uma‘u”, is taking a heavy toll on Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park facilities.

Two-thirds of the entire park have been closed since May 11. The Kahuku unit in Kaʻū is still open.

“We understand and commiserate with our community and visitors about the prolonged closure, but we cannot provide safe access to the Kīlauea section of the park as long as these very unpredictable dangers threaten the safety of park staff and visitors,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando in a media release. “Unlike lava, which you can see coming and avoid, we cannot see or predict earthquakes, nor can we foresee a summit explosion, but both threats continue,” she said.

“Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell when we can reopen the Kīlauea section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. We’ll only reopen when it is safe to do so, and we will need time to assess, make repairs and clean up,” Superintendent Orlando said. “In the meantime, we ask for your understanding and support.”

From the National Park Service:

Layers of acidic volcanic ash coat picnic tables, roads and overlooks, and ash has caused poor visibility on Highway 11, creating dangerous driving conditions at times. Hundreds of shallow earthquakes beneath the summit of Kīlauea have damaged at least three park buildings, fractured park roads, and snapped water lines. On Sunday, June 3, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake rattled the summit area at 3:50 p.m., cracking the overlook deck at Jaggar Museum. Over the weekend, the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported more than 500 earthquakes in a 24-hour period – the most ever measured by HVO scientists.

In addition, the park remains without running water. Newly formed earth cracks observed near Hōlei Sea Arch on a recent overflight concern park officials. Crater Rim Drive and Hilina Pali Road near Kulanaokuaiki Campground are impassable in places.

Federal officials say “park rangers are also serving visitors and the community at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and starting Mon., June 4, will be on site at the Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers are also at the Hilo Airport most days, and at the Naniloa Hotel Sundays and Mondays to answer questions about the park and current eruption conditions.”