Lava flows from the Kīlauea volcano eruption closed the road in 1969. In 1979, the road was reopened, but it was cut again in 1986 by a lava flow from another eruption of Kīlauea. s of 2014[ [update]], Chain of Craters Road is about 19 miles (30 km) long to Holei Sea Arch where it terminates, with a further 7.5 miles (12 km) now buried by lava from different flows from Puʻu ʻŌʻō since 1986. In all, it descends 3,700 feet (1,130 m) between Crater Rim Drive and the south coast.