The National Park Service announced today that it will work with the state and county to construct an emergency route along the former Chain of Craters Road to assist residents of lower Puna, whose access to the rest of the island would be cut off if lava covers Highway 130.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory estimated on Sept. 19 that based on the flow’s location and rate of advancement at that time, lava from Kilauea Volcano’s Puu Oo vent could reach Highway 130 in 21 days – but noted as of Sept. 22, the lava flow advance rate has slowed.
The route, mostly within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, would provide emergency access for the community and would not be open for visitor use. Nearly eight miles of the coastal section of Chain of Craters Road is buried beneath rough, hardened lava, and 5.4 miles is within the national park.
The open section of Chain of Craters Road spans 19 miles from the summit of Kilauea to sea level within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Opened in 1965, the road has been blocked by lava for 37 of its 49-year existence. To protect park resources, the emergency route will follow the old lava-covered road alignment as much as practicable.