AFP, published Friday, December 2, 2022 at 7:50 p.m
Lava from Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, which erupted Nov. 27 after 38 years of dormancy, is now approaching one of the main roads on the island of Hawaii, according to the American Institute of Geophysics (USGS).
The “lava front” from one of the volcanic flows is now “approximately 3.2 miles from the Daniel Inouye Highway,” nicknamed the “Saddle Road,” the USGS said in its latest bulletin released Thursday night.
This is the main axis to cross the island of Hawaii, the largest island of this Pacific archipelago, from east to west. The closure would force residents to make long detours.
Mauna Loa’s lava — “Long Mountain” in Hawaiian — has slowed in recent days as it meets less steep slopes and the largest flow advanced at “40 meters per hour” Thursday midday, the institute said.
At this rate, it could reach the road “at the earliest (…) in a week,” according to the USGS, which recalls, however, that “many variables” can affect this forecast and the volatile nature of the outbreak. .
It remains contained on the northeast side of the volcano and authorities, who have not issued an evacuation order, are still making sure the dwellings remain out of danger.
Speaking on CNN on Wednesday, Hawaii Gov. David Ige warned residents and tourists about “toxic fumes” escaping from the volcano. He encouraged people with breathing problems to “wear a mask.”
The winds can also carry pele hairs, volcanic fibers named after the Hawaiian goddess of fire that are formed when lava droplets expand into fine threads under the influence of gusts. As sharp as razor blades, they are dangerous to the skin and eyes.
Mauna Loa, so wide that it covers half of the island of Hawaii, had not erupted since 1984. It then spewed lava for 22 days, producing lava flows just seven kilometers from the city of Hilo, northeast of the volcano.
With a summit of 4,169 meters, it is one of six active volcanoes in the Hawaiian archipelago and has experienced 33 eruptions since 1843. The main island of the archipelago is also home to a slightly taller volcano, Mauna Kea – 4,207 meters above sea level.
Just southeast of Mauna Loa, the Kilauea volcano is experiencing very persistent activity, with almost continuous eruptions between 1983 and 2019. Its latest, smaller eruption has been ongoing for several months.