Honolulu; A week and a half after the world's largest volcano erupted, officials in Hawaii are still bracing for slow-moving lava hitting a key Big Island road, even though scientists are unsure when or if it will even happen .
According to US Geological Survey scientists, lava from Mauna Loa, which began erupting on November 27 after being dormant for 38 years, was 1.8 miles (2.89 km) from Saddle Road, which is also known as Route 200 or Daniel K. Also known as the Inouye Highway. Wednesday morning. The road connects the east and west sides of the island.
Last week, officials said the lava could be on the road in a week. However, as expected, the lava has slowed significantly in recent days as it moves across the flatlands, leaving scientists unable to estimate a more precise timeline.
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"I wish we could have responded better," David Phillips, deputy scientist in charge of the USGS's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said Wednesday. "And so, based on its current behavior and all the variables involved, it is extremely difficult to predict a time, a location, or even if it will intersect the highway."
According to Phillips, the flow front also appeared less active on Wednesday than the previous day, possibly due to upward movement of lava that could be diverting lava towards the highway.
According to Phillips, scientists were monitoring the overflow about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) upstream from the lava front, but it was not posing a threat at the time. It was not clear whether it would remain active, but if it did, it would take some time to reach the road, he said.
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Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said preparations are underway to close the road. Island residents are facing major disruption if the road is made impassable by lava, forcing drivers to seek alternative coastal routes, which could add hours to commute time .
Roth warned that if lava watchers continue to misbehave, including hiking through closed areas to get a better look, the road could be closed before the lava arrives.
Officials opened a one-way "mitigation road" last week in response to thousands of motorists walking along the road to view the lava.
According to officials, the route appears to have helped reduce collisions at night when there was an increase in lava viewing traffic.
About 20 National Guard members were dispatched to assist with lava-related issues such as security and traffic. The county also hired some security guards to help prevent people from entering prohibited areas, according to Roth.
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"As we look at this lava flow, you know, the concern about people getting hurt by lava is not as much as people getting seriously injured from traffic accidents," Roth said Tuesday.