Mauna Loa Volcano Lava Crawls Closer to Major Highway

Posted: December 7, 2022 10:38 am

It has been over one week since Mauna Loa erupted, sending fountains of red lava soaring upwards. The molten rock is flowing from the northeastern slope of the volcano and scattering down onto the Big Island of Hawaii. Here is the latest on the eruption of the world’s largest volcano and if it is expected to threaten any structures.

No Communities at Risk at This Time

The most significant impact of the eruption thus far has been the volcanic gas rising into the air. The lava continues to flow to the northeast, slowing down as it hits the bottom of the incline.

Local officials continue to assure residents that no communities are at risk at this time. Despite the flow of lava moving close to the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, the major roadway that traverses the island is still open. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the stream of lava is moving at a slow speed of 40 feet per hour. However, experts caution that the unpredictability of volcanic eruptions means that it is difficult to ascertain if the flow will ever present a danger to the road. As of the middle of this week, the lava is about 2 miles from the highway.

The closure of the road would be a major inconvenience to locals and tourists. The highway is the primary connector between the two sides of the Big Island.

Mauna Loa Volcano Erupts On Big Island Of Hawaii / Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News via Getty Images

Kilauea Also Continues to Erupt Just East of Mauna Loa

Mauna Loa is not the only volcano erupting on the island. Kilauea also began erupting last year and has not stopped. While the eruption that began in 2021 is not posing any issues, Kilauea’s 2018 eruption led to the destruction of hundreds of homes in the Leilani Estates neighborhood. The recent memory of this devastation is still raw for many Hawaiians that were impacted by this eruption.

Kilauea is located 21 miles east of Mauna Loa with its ongoing eruption confined to its summit. This containment is a far cry from the 2018 event that took out over 700 houses and dozens of roadways.

The blackened lava is still steaming all of these years later. Many residents are reporting that the latest eruption from Mauna Loa has brought back traumatic memories of 2018.

Some Native Hawaiians also report being emotionally moved by the eruptions, recognizing that the volcanoes are what initially created the islands that they call home. This translates to a deep spiritual connection to the eruptions. Many natives marked last week’s eruption of Mauna Loa by leaving offerings near the volcano and participating in ancient chants.

Eruptions a Major Tourist Draw

The news is not all bad for Hawaiians. The eruption of the volcano has led to a spike in tourism as curious onlookers flock to the island to see the rare eruption, bringing in more dollars to an area that relies on the travel industry for its major source of commerce.

The nearby town of Hilo has experienced a boom in tourism during a time of the year that is historically slow. Hotel rooms are filling up and bookings for helicopter tours over the volcanoes have skyrocketed in recent days. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is also preparing for an influx of tourists hoping to catch the natural wonder of an active volcano.

Local officials are advising visitors to not trek into the closed areas. Those that ignore the rules put themselves at risk of inhaling lethal volcanic fumes. There is also the damage of hidden cracks in the earth.

The Hawaii Department of Health also said that the eruption has triggered a risk of poor air quality at the hands of the volcanic ash and pollution caused by its accompanying gasses. The elderly, individuals with underlying respiratory conditions, and other vulnerable groups are being advised to reduce their outdoor activities.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency recommends that visitors access a safe viewing area available off the Daniel K. Inouye Highway.

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