HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, HI – Hawai Volcanoes National Park is still accessible following a major eruption on Mauna Loa volcano that began late Sunday night in the summit caldera and moved to the northeast rift zone Monday morning.
The park is open, with minor restrictions when Mauna Loa erupts.
For everyone’s safety, the park closed Mauna Loa Road from the gate at Kpukapuaulu to automobiles on Monday morning. Since early October, when the volcano began to show signs of unrest and increased seismicity, the summit, cabins, and high-elevation sections of Mauna Loa have been blocked. In addition, outside of the park, Mauna Loa Observatory Road is closed to the public.
The latest eruption, the first since 1984, is expected to draw a large number of visitors to the park who are hoping to witness a rare twin eruption from both Klauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Before daybreak, viewing areas around Klauea caldera exhibited a large light from Mauna Loa caldera, Mokuweoweo (13,677 ft. height), and a smaller lava lake within Halemaumau (4,009 ft.) at Klauea’s peak.
The park is open, with minor restrictions when Mauna Loa erupts.
At the moment, neither eruption poses a threat to houses or infrastructure. Since September 29, 2021, Klauea has been erupting, with lava restricted to the top lava lake.“Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is keeping a careful eye on Mauna Loa alongside our colleagues at the USGS and Hawaii County Civil Defense,” stated Rhonda Loh, Superintendent of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. “The park is currently open,” Loh stated, “but visitors should be prepared and stay informed.”
Visitors are encouraged to visit the park’s website for updates on closures, safety alerts, air quality, and other information, including links to USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory cameras and eruption updates.