Mauna Loa volcano continues to erupt fountains of lava, Hawaii activates National Guard

Officials in Hawaii have activated the state's National Guard to help in the response to the eruption of Mauna Loa, whose lava has been steadily oozing toward a critical highway for days.

The fountains of lava that have been shooting from the volcano over the past week are not a threat to communities or property, officials have maintained. Still, the eruption of the world's largest active volcano has put residents and officials on edge as molten rock continues to flow toward Daniel K. Inouye Highway, threatening to shutter at least part of the shortest route linking the east and west sides of the Big Island.
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The Mauna Loa eruption is into its second week on the island of Hawaii.

Lava is erupting at an estimated rate of 100 to 150 cubic yards per second and the leading flow is about 15 feet thick and up to 30 feet at the center.

Scientists say they’re pretty confident the lava won’t impact population areas and tell Hawaii News Now their bigger concern is people crossing lava fields in the dark hoping to get a closer view of the eruption.

Monday, the lava was about 2.16 miles from the highway, known locally as Saddle Road, according to the US Geological Survey.