Mauna Loa eruption viewed from a distance, photo taken near Kona industrial area (NPS Photo/Janice Wei)

(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park remains open, although there are a few closures, as a rare dual eruption from both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes is ongoing.

A new eruption began at the summit of Mauna Loa late Sunday evening, and on Monday morning the eruption migrated to the northeast rift zone of the giant volcano. The eruption of Kilauea has been confined to Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit since it started back in September 2021.

However, the National Park Service is reporting a few Mauna Loa-related closures:

• Mauna Loa Road was closed from the gate at Kīpukapuaulu Monday morning to vehicles.
• The summit, cabins and high-elevation areas of Mauna Loa have been closed since early October when the volcano began to show signs of unrest and increased seismicity.
• Mauna Loa Observatory Road outside of the park is also closed to the public.

The Federal Aviation Administration has also enacted a Temporary Flight Restriction encompassing a five nautical mile radius around Mauna Loa summit and 5,000 above ground level. Approved emergency response flights are excepted, the park says.

From the National Park Service:

The new eruption, which is the first time Mauna Loa has erupted since 1984, is expected to draw an influx of visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park who hope to see a rare dual eruption from both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Viewing areas along Kīlauea caldera before sunrise revealed a massive glow from Mauna Loa caldera, Mokuʻāweoweo (13,677 ft. elevation) and a smaller lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu (4,009 ft.) at the summit of Kīlauea.

Neither eruption is threatening homes or infrastructure at this time. Kīlauea has been erupting since Sept. 29, 2021 with lava confined to the summit lava lake.

“Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is keeping close watch on Mauna Loa in tandem with our colleagues at USGS and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense,” said Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent, Rhonda Loh. “The park is currently open, but visitors should be prepared and stay informed,” Loh said.

Visitors are urged to check the park website nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes for closure updates, safety alerts, air quality and other information including links to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcams and eruption updates.