Mauna Loa eruption continues, now threatens main Hawaii Island freeway

Lava erupting from Fissure 3 on Mauna Loa — Fissure Three producing a lava fountain on November 30, 2022. Picture by USGS

The present Mauna Loa eruption continues to dominate Hawaii information and wow onlookers with its dramatic lava shows. For an instance, take a look at the sights and sounds of the next video captured by the Hawaii Division of Land and Pure Sources.

Mauna Loa Eruption-Leading Edge, 11-29-22 from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.

One of these lava is an a’a flow, which is fast paced. An a’a stream creates jagged-lava rocks.

Although lava has been transferring shortly, partially because of the slope and gravity, it’s starting to gradual because it reaches flatter floor. As this occurs, consultants count on the lava stream will unfold out and inflate.

Lava has traveled down a number of thousand ft from Mauna Loa summit and is at the moment headed in a course that places a serious freeway at risk. In our previous update, the stream was greater than 10 miles away from any main street. Now, it’s lower than 3.5 miles away from Daniel Okay. Inouye Freeway! Specialists estimate that lava may doubtlessly block the street in as little as two days. After all, nobody is aware of for certain what the volcano will do.

This street that’s at risk of being blocked by lava is Daniel Okay. Inouye Freeway. That’s the official title of Freeway 200, however most folk generally seek advice from it as Saddle Highway. You may additionally hear it known as DKI Freeway. It’s essentially the most direct connection from Hilo to Kona. Specialists estimate that just about 6,000 autos use this street each day, largely by native residents. (See this KHON2 segment for hypothesis on how a Saddle Highway closure may have an effect on the island’s visitors.)

Although the lava stream may find yourself crossing Saddle Highway, fortunately, the eruption isn’t at the moment transferring within the course of any inhabited areas. Additionally, from a traveler’s perspective, it’s price noting that lava is not transferring in the direction of any resort areas.

If you’re visiting the island and want to observe the lava stream, take a look at this KHON2 phase on safely and legally viewing this spectacular and uncommon occasion.