Weather permitting you could also potentially see it from the saddle road ( Daniel K. Monday only one of the three fissures remained active, and most fountaining was only around 10 feet or so high, USGS reported.Ĭounty and HVO continue to caution that eruptions from Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano, can be unpredictable and long-lasting, and they recommend residents visit the county’s volcano hazards website for more information and updates.Frequently Asked Questions Can I see the lava?Īs of now there are helicopter tours going from Kona and Hilo to see the lava. Ken Hon, scientist-in-charge of the USGS’ Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said Monday afternoon that the eruption appeared similar to one from Mauna Loa in 1984 and that if the current flow is maintained, it could be about a week until it approaches the outskirts of Hilo.Ĭounty officials and scientists cautioned that Mauna Loa eruptions can be dynamic in early phases, so the public should pay attention to alerts.īy 1:30 p.m. “Right now it seems like the lava is going to a positive place as far as keeping away from the public and everything like that - away from property.” ”We feel pretty comfortable with the situation,” Roth said Monday. On Monday, Hawaii island Mayor Mitch Roth described the lava flow as heading in “the best possible” direction.Īlthough the flow is heading toward Hilo, the path’s topography and history of Mauna Loa eruptions put the city on the island’s east side far from danger. Shelters remained open overnight at Old Kona Airport in Kailua-Kona and Kau Gymnasium in Pahala as a precaution, but officials said there was no danger to residents along the southwest slopes of the mountain. 3 is above 10,000 feet and more than 10 miles away from Saddle Road, officials said. There are three fissures of lava with only the lowest remaining active as of 1:30 p.m. Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency officials said the lava does not pose a threat to any communities or infrastructure at this time. Geological Survey said Monday evening that the Mauna Loa eruption continued flowing along the northeast rift zone. Separately, a 4.0 tremor shook the Pahala area on the southeast side of Hawaii island. Geological Survey reporting dozens of small earthquakes, most under magnitude 3.0, on the mountain. Seismic activity continued overnight with the U.S. Officials also closed Ainapo Trail and cabin, and the Kapapala Forest Reserve. State Department of Land and Natural Resources officials said late Monday that they have closed the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve and the Kipuka ‘Ainahou Nene Sanctuary for at least 90 days. Mauna Loa’s first eruption in 34 years entered its second day today with Hawaii island residents and visitors reassured that the flowing lava posed no immediate risk to life or property.Īll Hawaii public schools are open today on Hawaii island and, with the exception of Mauna Loa Access Road, no major roadway is closed or threatened by the northeast rift zone eruption. Two new flows are also moving north downrift of Fissure No. 3 has moved north and crossed the road leading to the Mauna Loa Observatory. Geological Survey Volcanoes posted an image showing the flow from Fissure No. It does not pose a threat to any communities at this time,” the agency said on its website this morning. “The flow is currently 6 miles away from Saddle Road. Lava from the Mauna Loa eruption crossed the upper portion of the Mauna Loa access road Monday night, according to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation relating to the Mauna Loa eruption Monday night. Shelters that opened Monday at Old Kona Airport in Kailua-Kona and Kau Gymnasium in Pahala will close at noon today. “We feel pretty optimistic right now that our communities are going to be safe,” Roth said. The lava does not pose a threat to any communities. Not too many people use that access road at the point where the lava crossed over, Roth said. Right now, it’s a channelized flow traveling less than a mile per hour. “At about four miles from Saddle Road, it’s going to hit some flatter ground and presumably slow down considerably and the mode of movement may change as well,” he added. Hon said the flow is about six miles from Saddle Road and is continuing to move downhill. The lava flow on Mauna Loa’s northeast flank remains at a high elevation of more than 9,000 feet. 3 traveled down the slopes of Mauna Loa and crossed the Mauna Loa Observatory access road, cutting power and access to the NOAA Mauna Loa Observatory facility, Hon said.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |