Hawai'i Volcano Blog

The Mauna Loa eruption viewing area along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway has now reopened after Hawai’i County detonated an unexploded ordnance found in lava rocks on Sunday Morning.

The Mauna Loa lava flow is currently 2.25 miles from Daniel K. Inouye Highway and the leading edge is advancing at an average of 50 feet per hour.

This is the first time in 38 years that tourists and resident can witness simultaneous eruptions of Mauna Loa and Kīlauea.

Over the past 24 hours, the Mauna Loa lava flow is moving at an average of about 40 feet per hour while it is on relatively flat ground as it creeps toward Saddle Road, now just 2.4 miles away.

Hawaiian legends tell many stories about sisters Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes and Poli‘ahu, goddess of snow.

The Northeast Rift Zone is still active, with fissure 3 continuing to be the dominant source of the largest lava flow.

The state agency is also coordinating analysis of potential consequences to the Big Island economy, infrastructure, transportation network and other effects if the eruption were to eventually damage Daniel K. Inouye Highway or other significant systems.

HVO staff and County of Hawai‘i officials closely monitored the eruption overnight, tracking activity for any migration.

The new 4.5-mile one-way lava viewing route through Pōhakuloa Training Area land is an attempt to relieve congestion on Daniel K. Inouye Highway and address safety concerns while Mauna Loa is erupting.

There are two active flows on the Northeast Rift Zone of the volcano.

Two people were injured Tuesday night re-entering the roadway from the shoulder lane.

Lava was just 3.6 miles Wednesday morning from the Big Island’s main thoroughfare from east to west.

Now more than 3 miles away from Daniel K. Inouye Highway, the Mauna Loa eruption has reached the bottom part of the slope of the volcano and is entering into a flat area, officials confirmed this morning.

At approximately 11 p.m. Tuesday, the leading edge of the Mauna Loa lava flow crossed Old Kona Highway, a dirt road that crosses the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve.

A steady stream of vehicles flowed nearly 35 miles Monday night from the upper Kaʻūmana area of Hilo to Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area to see Mother Nature in action on Mauna Loa.

New webcam videos from USGS shows fissure 3 and new fissure 4 is feeding lava flows downslope to the north/northeast. Fissure 3 is feeding the largest lava flow.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources also has closed Unit J of the Kapāpala Game Management Area, the Kipuka ‘Ainahou Nēnē Sanctuary, the ʻĀinapō Trail and cabin, and the Kapāpala Forest Reserve for at least 90 days due to the eruption of Mauna Loa.

The lava from the Mauna Loa eruption is on the move with flow from its fissure 3 crossing the Mauna Loa Observatory Road overnight, according to USGS Volcanoes.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reminds the public to use caution and common sense on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway — Route 200, formerly known as Saddle Road — during the ongoing Mauna Loa eruption.

Three fissures have opened and are fountaining lava on the northeast rift zone of Mauna Loa, officials confirmed during a state press conference this afternoon.