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A river of fiery lava spewing from the world’s largest volcano could engulf the main highway linking the east and west coasts of Hawaii’s Big Island as early as this weekend, experts say, leaving nothing humans can do.
Mauna Loa woke up from a 38-year slumber on Sunday, spewing ash and debris into the sky.
As the lava passed near Volcanoes National Park, it drew thousands of spectators to Highway 200, who endured the strong smell of volcanic gases and sulfur to watch the wide lava flow slowly approaching.
“It’s really exciting,” said Kathryn Tarananda, 66, of Waimea. “We’re in the midst of pristine nature. It’s awe-inspiring to live in this place. I feel really, really lucky to be an Islander.”
Slowly tumbling lava along the slope has moved within a few miles of the Saddle Road highway, which cuts through the ancient lava flow.
The route bisects the island and connects the cities of Hilo and Kailua-Kona. If it becomes impassable, longer coastal roads are available, adding a few hours to the drive time.
At current flow rates, the lava could reach the road in as little as two days, though it could take longer, Ken Hon, lead scientist at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, said Wednesday.
“As the lava flow spreads, it could interfere with its own progress,” Mr Han said.
He added that lava flowed through the Mauna Loa Observatory’s tunnel Monday night and cut power to it. It is the world’s premier station for measuring heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The federal government is looking for a temporary replacement site on the island and is considering bringing a generator to restore power to the observatory so it can take measurements again.
Meanwhile, scientists are trying to measure the gases released by the eruption.
Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. The eruption was the 34th since written records began in 1843.
Its smaller neighbor, Kilauea, has been erupting since September 2021, so national park visitors get a rare glimpse of two simultaneous eruptive events: a glow from Kilauea’s lava lake and Mauna Lava from subvolcanic fissures.
Officials initially worried that lava flowing from Mauna Loa could reach the South Kona community, but scientists later assured the public that the eruption had migrated to the rift zone on the volcano’s northeast flank and would not threaten the community.
Governor David Ige issued an emergency declaration, allowing responders to arrive quickly or restrict access as needed. During his eight years as governor, he has dealt with multiple eruptions and said it was impossible to redirect the glowing rock.
“There is no physical or technological way to change the direction of the lava flow,” he told a news conference, recalling how many people hoped that when Kilauea poured lava onto homes, farms and roads in 2018, This becomes possible.
“The power of Mother Nature and Mrs. Bailey overwhelms everything we can do,” said Mr Iger, referring to Hawaii’s volcano and Vulcan.
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