hawaii volcano affect travel

As the world’s largest active volcano erupts in Hawaii, here’s what travelers need to know

Nov 28, 2022 • 3 min read

The smoking crater of Mauna Loa (photographed in 2018) © Getty Images

Mauna Loa , on the Big Island of Hawai‘i , began spewing ash and debris into the air on Sunday, turning the sky red. Authorities said on Monday there could be more volcanic activity, prompting the State of Hawaii to raise the volcano-alert level to “warning.”

Mauna Loa has been belching ash and lava since 11:30pm local time on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) – the first time the volcano has erupted since 1984.

“At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities,” a notification from USGS said.

No evacuation orders are in place, and businesses and schools remain open; still, locals have been asked to prepare for the possibility of the lava flow changing direction. In response, the Red Cross has opened shelters on the island as a precaution. 

On Monday morning, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory upgraded the volcano alert level from “advisory” to “warning” and advised residents that volcanic gases, ash, and  Pele’s Hair  (thin fibers created by volcanic gas) may be carried their way. People with breathing difficulties are encouraged to stay indoors.

Could the eruption impact my travel plans?

Unlikely for now. The situation seems to have stabilized and the eruption could remain contained in an area where it’s easier to monitor. There is no immediate threat to people’s safety in local communities. 

On Monday, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said that Mauna Loa’s eruption moved from the summit caldera to the northeast rift zone. This is an area where the terrain is flatter, which gives officials more time for preparation and early warning if the lava flow begins to move downhill toward neighborhoods. It takes the “threat away from the steepest slopes of the volcano where lava moves the fastest,” the HVO explains.

Regardless, locals and tourists visiting the area should review preparedness and refer to Hawaii County Civil Defense updates  for further guidance, the HVO said.

“Based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa rift zone eruption can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly,” the HVO said. “HVO is in close consultation with emergency management partners and will monitor the volcano closely to provide further updates on activity.”

#MaunaLoa is erupting from vents on the Northeast Rift zone. Flows are moving downslope to the north. USGS Photos from Civil Air Patrol fight. #MaunaLoaErupts @Volcanoes_NPS @Hawaii_EMA @CivilDefenseHI pic.twitter.com/kUYWYPdk4L — USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) November 28, 2022

The Department of Transportation issued a travel advisory on Monday, asking passengers with flights to Hilo International Airport or the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole to check with their airline prior to heading to the airport due to the volcanic activity at Mauna Loa. 

If you’re on the ground, it’s worth noting that Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park   closed part of the summit  to visitors last month as a precautionary measure because of recent earthquakes. Mauna Loa Rd and the 6662ft Mauna Loa Lookout remain open to the public.

Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on the planet. Until Sunday’s eruption, the NPS said this had been Mauna Loa’s longest recorded quiet period. However, a string of earthquakes at its summit in recent months put scientists on high alert for eruption.

Volcanic eruptions in Hawaii are traditionally seen as “ hō-ailona ,” a sign or omen, and mark a time of change. 

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How the Mauna Loa eruption could impact your Hawaii trip

What the volcanic activity means for flights, air quality, sightseeing and more.

Travelers in Hawaii are finding themselves with a front-seat view for a geological phenomenon: Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, is erupting for the first time in nearly four decades.

Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaii, Mauna Loa started erupting late Sunday night. Authorities say that because of where the eruptions are located and the direction the lava is flowing, no communities are threatened at this point.

Here’s what officials say visitors should know.

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano erupts for first time in 38 years

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Hawaii volcano erupting for first time in nearly 40 years; what's the travel impact?

Although the world's largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, continues to erupt on the island of Hawaii for the first time in nearly 40 years, the effect on flights, hotels and cruises thus far has been fairly minimal. Of course, that could change. Here's what you need to know.

Can I travel to Hawaii?

Despite the state's Department of Transportation issuing a travel advisory Monday, warning passengers of flight disruptions out of both Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), Southwest was the only airline to cancel several flights from ITO.

"We temporarily paused our operation at Hilo yesterday, and that canceled nine total flights (all interisland, all running between Honolulu and Hilo), and one more ran about an hour late," a Southwest spokesperson confirmed via email. "No other impacts yesterday or today."

Overall, flights in and out of Hilo were still operating as normal Tuesday.

Dallas-based Southwest, which operates 60 interisland flights daily, is only rivaled by Hawaiian Airlines, which continued with its schedule of 140 interisland flights Monday as normal, with just delays, according to local reporting by Hawaii News Now .

"Our flights to and from Kona and Hilo have been operating as scheduled," a spokesperson said. "Guests are advised to check their flight status online for updates."

As of noon EST on Tuesday, ITO reported eight flight cancellations within the previous 24 hours, per FlightAware data.

Both airlines released travel waivers for passengers seeking to change upcoming flights to and from ITO and KOA free of charge. Those scheduled to fly Hawaiian Airlines from Nov. 28-Dec. 4 are eligible to reschedule their flight at no additional cost for the same city pair and cabin of the original ticket.

Hawaiian Airlines tickets must be rebooked by Dec. 4 for travel by Dec. 14. Alternatively, passengers can cancel their flight and receive a future flight credit expiring one year from the original date of purchase. No change fees will be charged, but a fare difference may apply.

Also on Monday, Southwest announced the opportunity for customers to rebook fights scheduled through Nov. 29 to or from any of the five Hawaiian airports it services — ITO, KOA, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Kahului Airport (OGG) and Lihue Airport (LIH). Southwest travelers can rebook for free in their original class of service or travel standby within 14 days of their initial travel date.

Cruise travel

Cruises to the Big Island have been unaffected so far by the eruption, with upcoming visits from ships operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line still on schedule.

A spokesperson for Norwegian, which is by far the biggest operator of cruises to the Big Island, told TPG the line was monitoring the situation but that the eruption this week had had no effect on the line's scheduled visits.

Norwegian's 2,184-passenger Pride of America visits the Big Island ports of Hilo and Kona every Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, as part of weekly Hawaiian Islands sailings out of Honolulu.

The sailings offer passengers a chance to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as other Big Island sites."The safety of our guests and crew remain our top priority," a Norwegian spokesperson told TPG in an emailed statement. "We are monitoring the recent geological activity of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii and will make any adjustments as needed."

In addition to Pride of America, cruise ships scheduled to visit the Big Island in the coming weeks include Princess' 3,560-passenger Royal Princess and Carnival's 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle.

In a typical year, cruise ships deliver more than 100,000 visitors to the Big Island.

National parks and volcano tourism

On the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, all accommodations, activities and attractions on the island are also operating normally, per the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau .

"There is no reason at this time for travelers to change or alter their leisure or business plans," it said.

At this time, lava continues to exit Mokuaweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, per the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory . As of Nov. 29, Mauna Loa Road remains closed to vehicles from Kipukapuaulu and closed to pedestrians and bikes from the first cattle guard, extending to the summit caldera.

Otherwise, the main park areas remain open to visitors, per the National Park Service, which urges potential parkgoers to monitor the park website for further updates.

Even so, park and geological officials encouraged the public to stay away from the lava, warning of winds carrying volcanic gas and fine ash, per the USGS.

Bottom line

"I would just want to let our visitors know if you have planned a vacation or trip to Hawaii island, this eruption is no reason to change your plans," Hawaii Gov. David Ige told ABC News on Monday .

Despite this, be sure to check with your airline before heading to the airport for any upcoming flights to the Big Island.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Additional reporting by Gene Sloan.

New Hawaiian Volcanic Eruption Could Affect Visitors’ Travel Plans

Until now, Mauna Loa was considered active and restless but not erupting as described by the US Geological Survey.

Even among “dormant” volcanoes there could be a sub-category for those that are “restless”—these are volcanoes that are not erupting, but that are experiencing some signs that magma is accumulating or moving beneath the surface.  Mauna Loa, in Hawaiʻi, could qualify for this category, since it experiences ground inflation and earthquakes that are a testament to changes within the volcano’s magma chamber .  So Mauna Loa is “active” and “restless” but not erupting—at least, not yet.  It will at some point, which is why monitoring restless volcanoes is so vital for forecasting their behavior on timescales that are helpful to society.

In October, the increased number of earthquakes caused the National Park Service to close the Mauna Loa summit backcountry to visitors. The road and lookout remained open until the eruption on Sunday.

The eruption is currently limited to the summit of Mauna Loa. However, residents are advised about the possibility of ash and volcanic gasses in the air. Those with respiratory conditions are told to stay inside and cover their mouth and nose when going outside.

At nighttime, the red glow of the caldera can currently be seen from as far away as Kona on the island’s west coast.

If you’ve visited Volcanoes National Park in recent years, you most likely drove around the Kilauea crater, which sits about 21 miles east of Mauna Loa. That area of the National Park is still open, but I’d keep an eye on their website if you’re planning a visit.

What does this mean in the larger sense if you have a trip to Hawaii planned in the next few weeks?

If you’re visiting any island except Hawaii (The Big Island), you should be fine.

However, if you’re going to Kona or Hilo, it might be a different trip than you planned. Flights need to avoid the volcano zone. At the moment, there are no flight cancellations to KOA (Kona), but some airlines are canceling interisland flights to ITO (Hilo). It’s best to check with your airline for the most recent information. I’d also suggest using a service like TripIt Pro to provide alerts about flight changes.

If the eruption stays limited to the crater, there shouldn’t be much disruption for a tourist planning to stay at one of the beachfront resorts on the Kailua-Kona side of the island.

That said, things can change quickly with volcanic eruptions, as with any natural event. Here are some places to get the most up-to-date information.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

• Twitter – https://twitter.com/Volcanoes_NPS
• Website – https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

US Geological Survey – Volcano Hazard

• Website – https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP
• Mauna Loa Updates – https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates

The USGS also provides several webcams if you want to look at the volcano. Here’s a thermal picture taken on Sunday evening.

If you have an upcoming trip, it’s frustrating that a volcano can throw a wrench into your plans. However, remember some people are hoping that the eruption stays limited to the summit and there’s no need to evacuate their homes because of lava flows.

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Mauna Loa eruption in Hawaii: How to stay safe while visiting volcanoes

Professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, York University, Canada

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On Nov. 27, the Big Island of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano — the largest active volcano in the world — erupted for the first time in 38 years . This eruption was very special because Mauna Loa historically erupts very frequently, every six years on average.

As the director of CIFAL York , Canada’s first hub for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) , I recently attended the global CIFAL directors’ meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii organized by UNITAR and CIFAL Honolulu.

As a disaster and emergency management professor with research interest in volcanoes, I had planned to tour the Big Island, which is home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world , including Kilauea, Hualalai, Kohala and Mauna Loa. To my amazement, my visit coincided with Mauna Loa’s eruption .

It took me two attempts to finally get a glimpse of the eruption. My first attempt on Dec. 3 was thwarted because of low visibility, caused by clouds covering the volcano, and a lack of parking availability on side roads. Some of the side roads were temporarily converted to one-way streets to divert traffic away from the busy, but orderly, main highway near the volcano summit.

My second attempt was successful. I departed from my hotel in the town of Hilo at 2 a.m. and arrived at the nearest open side road, as close to the eruption site as possible. The sky was clear, and the beautiful and glowing reddish volcano plumes were visible as far as Hilo.

Hazard tourism

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and volcanic eruptions attract many tourists , including scientists, nature photographers and the public, from all over the world. Some of the recorded human impacts of volcanic eruptions in the Big Island are attributed to hazard tourism .

Hazard tourism refers to touristic activities that occur near historical or existing natural or technological hazard sites, or disaster-impacted areas. Volcano tourism is one of the most popular types of hazard tourism and involves the observation, photography and study of active volcanoes and their geological and natural phenomena.

Read more: Where Mauna Loa’s lava is coming from – and why Hawaii’s volcanoes are different from most

Volcanic eruptions can either be explosive or effusive . Unlike explosive volcanoes that shoot ash and magma up into the atmosphere, most Hawaiian eruptions — including the Mauna Loa — are known for their nonexplosive and effusive nature . This means they have less direct human impacts in the form of injuries and fatalities.

During their eruptions, effusive volcanic eruptions create large volumes of lava that flow slowly downhill into the surrounding environment. These flows can damage vegetation, infrastructure such as roads, and properties.

While Hawaiian volcanoes do not produce ash, they produce a huge amount of volcanic smog, also known as vog . It contains sulphur dioxide, which can cause fatal health risks to humans, especially for those with respiratory illnesses.

Safety procedures

My visit happened during low season, but seeing as we are approaching the holiday spike, more people are expected to visit Hawaii in the coming days — the Big Island in particular. Managing visitors will be a significant task for authorities.

When volcanic eruptions happen, emergency managers have an additional task of managing hazard tourism. These include managing the tourist crowds trying to get as close as possible to the eruption sites.

To reduce the risks to visitors, authorities in the Big Island implement several measures when eruptions happen. These measures include restricting parking on certain segments of nearby highways, closing roads and trails that are subject to lava flow and other volcanic hazards, providing information to visitors, and continuous monitoring of the eruption activities.

The main goal for authorities is allowing visitors to watch volcanic activity safely. While this requires planning from the local and state authorities in Hawaii, it also requires close co-operation and attention of visitors to safety procedures and high levels of preparedness.

How visitors can be prepared

It is very important for tourists to properly prepare for excursions to see volcanic eruptions. Visitors should allocate sufficient time for their visit and expect delays, depending on how busy the roads and the sites are.

Tourists should understand and follow the traffic and all safety guidelines and roles throughout their visits. They should wear adequate footwear for rough grounds, clothing for chilly and windy weather at night, and carry emergency kits including flashlights for when it gets dark.

Visiting natural hazard sites poses risks to visitors. Some of these hazards are visible, like vog, and some invisible, like cooled lava tubes that can collapse when walked on, or invisible but toxic gases .

Studies show that, unfortunately, most people visiting such sites are not properly prepared . Watching this amazing and spectacular natural phenomenon will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people, but visitors should understand the potential risks of exposure to volcanic hazards and prepare themselves for visiting such sites.

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Thousands flock to Hawaii Island to view Kilauea eruption. What travelers can expect.

Thousands are already flocking to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to witness the stunning Kilauea volcano eruption , which started early Wednesday morning. 

Over 10,000 visited the park on Wednesday day and night, according to Jessica Ferracane, spokesperson for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

That’s three times typical visitor numbers. 

Bystanders can watch fountains of red lava flow out from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, which for many Hawaiians, is considered sacred . 

“Every eruption is unique,” said Ferracane in an email. “This one has filled Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor with an additional 20 feet of lava, there are more fountains than the one that last from January 6 to March 7 of this year, and currently there is a fissure on the southwest crater wall that looks like a waterfall of lava flowing into the lava lake.”

Learn more: Best travel insurance

The U.S. Geological Survey said the eruption started at around 4:44 a.m.m Wednesday local time, and changed the volcano alert level from “warning” to “watch.” The volcano is often regarded as one of the world’s most active volcanoes, last erupting this past January until March.  

Here’s what travelers should expect if they want to see the Kilauea volcano.

Is there any danger posed by the Kilauea eruption?

No, the eruption is currently confined to the crater area that’s already closed to guests, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority on Wednesday afternoon. There is no need to change any travel plans because of the volcano.

As of Thursday, the eruption had not caused any additional closures. 

Where is the best place to view the eruption?

The good news is that the eruption is mesmerizing and visible from many vantage points (although weather conditions like fog can affect visibility.)

Some of the best places to view the lava are:

• Kupina’i Pali, or Waldron Ledge
• Overlook near Keanakakoi Crater (Beware, this is the most crowded viewing spot.)

How crowded is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park right now?

Very. Expect major delays and long lines of traffic to even enter the park. Parking lots are also packed, including the overflow lots. Some lots were closed at certain points throughout the day.

When is the best time to avoid crowds and visit the park to view the lava?

You’re allowed to visit the park 24 hours a day, but park staff recommend going either before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m. to avoid peak crowds. The busiest time of day will be between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. 

Ferracane suggests going at night. “Imagine watching a bonfire in daylight vs. darkness, and multiply that by 370 acres,” Ferracane said. 

If you do go at night, bring a headlamp, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and also dress warmly. Even though you may think it’s always warm in Hawaii, the weather turns cold at night because of the park's high altitude.

How long will the eruption last for?

There’s really no way of knowing, Ferracane said. “We just don't know when it could stop, which is part of the marvel and mystery of living on, and visiting, one of earth's most active volcanoes,” she said. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]

Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press

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Here’s what you need to know about the eruption of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano

HONOLULU (AP) — Lava is shooting 100 feet to 200 feet (30 to 60 meters) into the air as Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, erupts for the first time in nearly 40 years.

READ MORE: Hawaii’s Mauna Loa starts to erupt, spewing ash and debris

For now, lava is not threatening any homes or communities and no evacuation orders have been issued. Lava could eventually reach neighborhoods as it flows downhill though it could take a week or more for molten rock to reach populated areas.

Mauna Loa is spewing sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases. They form volcanic smog, or vog, when they mix with vapor, oxygen and dust in sunlight. As a result, state health officials are urging people to cut back on outdoor exercise and other activities that cause heavy breathing.

Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. Its smaller, more active neighbor, Kilauea volcano, has been erupting continuously for more than a year since September 2021.

WHERE IS MAUNA LOA?

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that together make up the Big Island of Hawaii, which is the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It’s not the tallest (that title goes to Mauna Kea) but it’s the largest and makes up about half of the island’s land mass.

It sits immediately north of Kilauea volcano, which is well-known for a 2018 eruption that destroyed 700 homes and sent rivers of lava spreading across farms and into the ocean.

Mauna Loa last erupted 38 years ago. The current eruption is its 34th since written history began in 1843.

The Big Island is mostly rural and hosts cattle ranches and coffee farms but it is also home to a few small cities, including the county seat of Hilo, which has a population of 45,000.

It’s about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Hawaii’s most populous island, Oahu, where the state capital, Honolulu, and beach resort Waikiki are both located.

Mauna Loa’s volume is estimated to be at least 18,000 square miles (75,000 square kilometers), making it the world’s largest volcano when measured from the ocean floor to its summit.

WHERE IS MAUNA LOA ERUPTING FROM?

The eruption began Sunday night at its summit after a series of large earthquakes. It then spread to vents that formed in a rift zone where the mountain is splitting apart and it’s easier for magma to emerge.

These vents are on the mountain’s northeast side and lava emerging there could head toward Hilo, which is on the east side of the island.

Ken Hon, scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said he doesn’t expect additional vents to form on the volcano’s southwest rift zone during this eruption. That means communities to the west would be spared lava flows this time.

Mauna Loa also erupted from the northeast in 1984. That time, lava headed toward Hilo but stopped a few miles short of the city.

Historically, each Mauna Loa eruption has lasted a few weeks. Hon expects the current eruption to follow this pattern.

IS MAUNA LOA EXPLODING LIKE MOUNT ST. HELENS?

Mauna Loa is not exploding like Washington state’s Mount St. Helens did in 1980, killing 57 people. That eruption sent ash soaring over 80,000 feet (24,384 meters) and raining down as far as 250 miles (400 kilometers) away.

The magma in Mount St. Helens tends to be stickier and traps more gas, making it much more likely to explode when it rises. It’s of a variety called composite volcanoes, which form concave cones.

Mauna Loa’s magma tends to be hotter, drier and more fluid. That allows the magma’s gas to escape and lava to flow down the side the volcano the way it is starting to do now. Mauna Loa is a shield volcano, named because the long, broad flanks built by repeated lava flows give it the appearance of a warrior’s shield.

In 1989, Alaska’s Redoubt Volcano, another composite volcano, belched an 8-mile cloud of ash that clogged all four engines of a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines jet. The plane fell 13,000 feet before all engines restarted and the plane landed without injury to the 245 people aboard.

Mauna Loa released some ash this time but on a vastly smaller scale than these examples from composite volcanoes.

WHAT HAZARDS ARE POSED BY MAUNA LOA’S ERUPTION?

• Lava: Molten rock could cover houses, farms or neighborhoods, depending on where it flows. But lava from the northeast rift zone will likely take at least a week to reach populated areas, allowing people time to evacuate if needed.
• Volcanic gas: Mauna Loa is releasing volcanic gases, mostly sulfur dioxide. The gases are present in their highest concentrations in the immediate area around the summit crater or vents. But they also combine with other particles to form vog, which can spread across the Big Island and even waft over to the state’s other islands.

Vog can give healthy people burning eyes, headaches and sore throats. It can send those with asthma or other respiratory problems to the hospital.

• Glass particles: When hot lava erupts from a fissure and rapidly cools, it forms glass particles named “Pele’s hair” and “Pele’s tears” after the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes.

The particles tend not to travel far from volcanic vents — maybe only a few hundred yards or a mile — and won’t threaten many people, said Aaron Pietruszka, an associate specialist at the University of Hawaii’s Department of Earth Sciences.

“It just literally looks like hair strands. And that’s where the fluid lava is stretched by the wind to make long, thin strands,” said Pietruszka.

The glass bits — as short as a few millimeters or as long as a few inches — can be sharp.

“You wouldn’t want to be digging your hands in it because you could get a cut,” Pietruszka said.

An N95 or KF94 mask would protect against these glass particles but not against volcanic gas, said Dr. Libby Char, the director of the state Department of Health.

“Pele’s hair” specimens from Kilauea volcano’s eruption are visible at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE MAUNA LOA’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS?

Mauna Loa released about 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide per day during its 1984 eruption, according to USGS data.

That’s equivalent to the annual emissions from 2,400 sport utility vehicles.

Scientists say all of Earth’s volcanoes combined emit less than one percent of the carbon dioxide that humans produce each year.

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Science News

Hawaii’s mauna loa volcano is erupting. here’s what you need to know.

The world’s largest active volcano is awake again after almost 40 years

On November 29, Mauna Loa was spewing lava from a fissure on its northeast flank. Fountains from this fissure were up to 25 meters tall.

M. Patrick/USGS

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By Carolyn Gramling

December 1, 2022 at 6:00 am

Mauna Loa, Earth’s largest active volcano, abruptly woke up on November 27 after an almost 40-year nap. The volcano shot fountains of lava as high as 50 meters into the air, while rivers of molten rock streamed down the volcano’s flanks toward Saddle Road, the main highway on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Mauna Loa stands shoulder to shoulder with four other volcanoes, including explosively dramatic Kilauea ( SN: 7/16/18 ) and quietly grumbling Mauna Kea ( SN: 5/14/20 ). Kilauea has grabbed headlines in recent years with its pyrotechnics while Mauna Loa has slumbered. But the sleeping giant hasn’t been so quiet in the past, says Ingrid Johanson, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in Hilo.

Historically, she says, Mauna Loa would awaken every seven years or so on average. This last stretch between eruptions “is quite a big gap.”

Science News talked with Johanson about how Mauna Loa tends to wake up, what’s in the path of the lava and what sort of neighbors Kilauea and Mauna Loa are.

Were there warning signs that Mauna Loa was about to erupt?

“It depends on what you mean by warning,” Johanson says. “In a manner of speaking, we’ve known that Mauna Loa was showing signs of unrest since 2015.” At that time, she says, there was an uptick in the rate of local earthquakes, as well as in GPS observations of land deformation — a bulging upward of the land surface that indicates magma is on the move below ground.

Those signs tapered off a bit and then increased again over the last six months, suggesting “that the situation was evolving,” Johanson says. But when the volcano would actually erupt wasn’t possible to determine. “Fundamentally, we had about an hour and a half of warning,” she says. That was the time span between when researchers noted a sudden swarm of earthquakes pointing to an imminent eruption and the emergence of lava.

That short notice is “true to form” for Mauna Loa, she adds. Its “other eruptions have evolved very quickly in the same way.”

How is the monitoring of Mauna Loa different than it was before the last eruption in 1984?

“One of the big differences between 1984 and now is the technology,” Johanson says.

“We can see more earthquakes [and] detect a wider range of frequencies in the seismic waves. And we have GPS and electronic tiltmeters to measure deformation continuously.” That technology allowed scientists to detect not only that there was land deformation recently, but also how it was changing over time, giving just a bit of extra warning time.

That wasn’t possible 40 years ago. Back then, researchers measured deformation by hand, hiking up to the volcano’s summit every few weeks or so. “There was a technique called EDM, for electronic distance measuring, which was essentially shining a laser into a reflector, so you could get very precise distance measurements,” Johanson says. Subtle shifts in the reflector’s location, installed on the volcano, helped reveal the deformation.

Does the current eruption pose a threat to people?

“It’s a little early to tell — it’s not yet clear how much volume we can expect out of this eruption,” Johanson says. “I don’t think it’s a given that this will be a more momentous eruption than past ones, but there is a sense of maybe coming back to business as usual for the volcano.”

The good news is that the lava flows don’t currently pose a threat to communities on the Big Island. However, Saddle Road connects the island’s eastern and western sides, Johanson notes. “If the lava were to cross the highway, it would really impact the island.”

But the eruption has interrupted data collection for one of climate science’s most iconic charts: the Keeling Curve, a nearly unbroken 60-year record of atmospheric carbon dioxide that shows a steady rise in levels of the gas.

The carbon dioxide data are collected from instruments at the Mauna Loa Observatory.   The eruption cut off power to the observatory on November 28. As of November 30, the power had not yet been restored, and lava flows had cut off access to the site. For now, it’s unclear if the interruption will have a lasting impact on data collection.

Kilauea has been erupting more or less continuously for decades. How are Kilauea and Mauna Loa connected?

They are two separate volcanoes with geochemically distinct lavas, suggesting their plumbing systems — the networks of tunnels and channels through which magma moves — are separate. That plumbing separation probably occurs below the crust and in the mantle, Johanson says, though ultimately the volcanoes tap into the same mantle hot spot ( SN: 1/6/22 ).

That said, Kilauea and Mauna Loa are uneasy neighbors, communicating through changes in pressure and stress underground, she says. Pressure changes in the plumbing beneath one volcano can subtly affect the other, for example, altering how easy it is for one volcano to expand, making way for more magma to move in. “They do kind of elbow each other a little bit.”

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How the Eruption on the Island of Hawaii Has Transformed Travel Opportunities

In 2018, kilauea caused plenty of devastation—and also created new ways to experience the big island. here’s how the local travel industry is tapping into the changed landscape..

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Companies such as Blue Hawaiian have changed their tour options so travelers can check out new elements of the Big Island since the 2018 eruption.

Courtesy of Blue Hawaiian

Hawaiians are no strangers to volcanic activity. Hawaii Island —commonly known as the Big Island—was formed by multiple volcanoes, three of which are still active. Among them, Kilauea holds the Guinness World Record for being the most active volcano on the planet. Beginning in 1983, its continuous lava flow served as the island’s primary attraction for visitors.

But from May to September 2018 , Kilauea’s most destructive eruption in recorded history took place. Hundreds of homes were decimated and many local businesses suffered an economic downturn. When the activity had ended, 55.6 square miles had been covered by lava flow and 439 acres of new land had been added to the island .

Eruption Impacts Visitation

Residents weren’t the only ones affected on the island, whose economy relies heavily on tourism. As reported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority , in the first half of 2019, the island of Hawaii saw declines in both visitor spending and visitor arrivals.

In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, visitation declined by approximately one third since 2017, say officials. Hilo-based KapohoKine Adventures cites an “incredibly challenging” 12 to 18 months in the volcano’s wake, with business dipping by as much as 30 percent.

Hotels were impacted, too. Owners of the Hale Ohu Bed and Breakfast in Volcano, twin sisters Nicole and Gabrielle Naughten, who opened their boutique property in 2017, had been on course for a successful 2018. But occupancy dropped from 85 percent on April 30 to 51 percent during the eruption and didn’t recover by much afterwards because many visitors want to see lava. “They don’t see the value of the park’s abundant natural history, so getting those visitors interested in visiting this side of the island is difficult,” say the Naughtens.

What travelers may not realize is that it’s an ideal time to feel like a pioneer on Hawaii Island, exploring the newly formed landscape. It’s as though a fresh new destination has emerged in Pele’s playground.

Revelation From Devastation

Isaac Hale Beach Park, also known as Pohoiki , reopened to the public in December 2018, showing off a new black sand beach and several thermal ocean ponds, formed when lava met the water.

In 2019, while flying over the Halemaumau crater within Kilauea’s caldera, pilots spotted what looked like a piece of turquoise in its center. A newly formed green pond has been confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS ), a mysterious natural occurrence that researchers are trying to get to the literal bottom of; this is a difficult task given the pond’s precarious location—the once 280-foot crater is now 1,600 feet deep.

The black sand Pohoiki Beach emerged as a result of the 2018 Kilauea eruption.

Courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority/Heather Goodman

However, visitors can take advantage of the new spectacles. Tour companies such as Blue Hawaiian Helicopters have incorporated flyovers of the sights and collapsed crater into their excursions, the newly formed marvels taking the place of lava sightings.

Hawaii Forest and Trail is “offering more epic island journeys than volcanic adventures,” according to marketing manager Susan Bredo. It has also added a Flavors of Hawaii tour to its array to help showcase other appealing aspects of the island. Founded by a naturalist, the tour company employs interpretative guides familiar with the island’s history, culture, flora, and fauna. Visitors can now learn about how the evolved landscape formed, along with the emergence of new vegetation.

Because the previously popular magma viewing is no longer available on tours, KapohoKine Adventures added a new all-terrain vehicle and zipline combination excursion, while the popularity of other offerings, such as the Maunakea Stellar Explorer tour, have boomed.

Changes to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Since last September, much of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has reopened. The facilities management team undertook a “Herculean effort” to repair the profound damage Kilauea caused. Nevertheless, officials are excited to spotlight features of the park that weren’t visited as much when the magma was flowing, such as Puʻu Loa, the “hill of long life” and site of one of the state’s largest known collections of petroglyphs, and Holei Sea Arch, where rangers answer questions about how sea arches are formed and eventually crumble.

With no lava to look at, other sites at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entice, like Holei Sea Arch.

Courtesy of National Parks Service/S. Geiger

Even new park regulations have a plus: Motor coaches are now forbidden. Only automobiles, shuttles, and vans can drive on park land, due to weight restrictions—with the benefit of fewer people visiting at once.

“Historically, what has driven visitors is eruption activity. Since we reopened last year, savvy visitors are now planning to explore some of the often-overlooked hidden gems of the park,” says Ben Hayes, chief of Interpretation and Education for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. “Many are found along Chain of Craters Road such as Kealakomo Overlook. . . . For sweeping vistas and unobstructed views, this one can’t be beat.”

Silver-Lined Future

Many visitors with trips to Hawaii Island booked during Kilauea’s outburst became discouraged by reports of stifling air and hazy views. General manager of the Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant , Janet Coney, was answering questions such as, “Will you provide gas masks if we still come?” and “Can you see the lava from the windows?”

“We spent a lot of time educating our guests last year,” Coney says. “Many were adventurers. But there’s always a silver lining if you look for it.”

In the wake of the tourism downturn, Coney helped start Experience Volcano , a volunteer-driven group of locals in the hospitality industry, artists, business owners, and individuals coming together to market Volcano’s many attractions to visitors other than viewing lava.

It’s now been one year since Kilauea’s explosive eruption, and the myriad treasures await. “The island of Hawaii is home to some of the most awe-inspiring geological forces and landscapes in the world and, as such, is ever-changing,” Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau said. “With Kilauea volcano’s activity having paused since September 2018, our skies are bluer, golf courses greener, and our famous Kona sunsets are more vibrant than ever.”

>>Next: Plan Your Trip With AFAR’s Guide to the Big Island

Mauna Loa Eruption Will Alter Hawaii Travel In These Ways

Mauna Loa’s long-awaited eruption this morning was a surprise but, in some ways, not. It has been pending for months. Can you imagine living on the street in our featured photo and looking up at the eruption? People are being warned of potential VOG, while some Kona residents are already self-evacuating.

Now that the eruption has begun, there are initially more questions than answers as to what the impact will be on Big Island residents first and foremost. That’s where our thoughts are focused. Currently, the lava is slow-moving, at least, giving people more time to prepare for any possible evacuation.

As you’ll see below, there will be many other considerations, some good, and some not-so-good, with implications for Hawaii travel.

USGS 5 pm update.

“The eruption of Mauna Loa continues on the Northeast Rift Zone. Three fissures erupted and as of 1:30 PM, only the lowest of the three fissures was active. Estimates of the tallest fountain heights are between 100–200 ft (30 – 60 m), but most are a few yards (meters) tall. The fissures sent lava flows to the northeast and parallel to the rift zone. Lava flows from the two higher fissures moved downslope but stalled about 11 miles (18 km) from Saddle Road. Fissure 3 is currently feeding lava flows moving east parallel to the Northeast Rift Zone. These remain at above 10,000 feet elevation and over 10 miles (16 km) away from Saddle Road. We do not expect upper fissures to reactivate. However, additional fissures could open along the Northeast Rift Zone below the current location, and lava flows can continue to travel downslope. There is no active lava within Moku’āweoweo caldera, and there is no lava erupting from the Southwest Rift Zone. We do not expect any eruptive activity outside the Northeast Rift Zone. No property is at risk currently. There is a visible gas plume from the erupting fissure fountains and lava flows, with the plume primarily being blown to the Northwest.”

Impact on flights to and from Hawaii.

So far today, we do not see any reason for disruption in flights to or from Hawaii. That could, of course, change since this is so fast evolving. The ash advisory has been discontinued for now. Update: Southwest has canceled all Hilo flights for Monday, November 28. Hawaiian Airlines is operating normally.

The plumes of volcanic ash already occurring near Mauna Loa present a potential flight safety hazard, which is exacerbated for night flights. The reason is that the ash is hard and highly abrasive. It can damage or wear jet compressor blades and has the potential to damage cockpit windows too. Ash could also contaminate the fuel system and cause other aircraft problems. It can even cause engine failure in the worst case.

For over 20 years, the aviation industry has set up Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to act in a liaison role between the industry and meteorologists. Then in 2010, the engine manufacturers began to define safety levels for volcanic particles when a volcano caused widespread disruption to the industry. The UK CAA, for example, set the limit at 4mg per cubic meter of air space.

It’s interesting to note that the ash near the eruption plume differs from that downwind. The most dangerous is closest to the eruption plume, and the download risk is substantially lower.

State of Hawaii and HVCB had this wrong.

You may recall that just a month ago, the state warned the media, including BOH, via its marketing arm HVCB: “To back off on its hyped reporting about the Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island.” HVCB said, “Maunaloa is not erupting, and there are no signs of an imminent eruption. Recent news of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) monitoring Maunaloa volcano on the island of Hawaii should cause no reason for travelers to alter their travel plans to Hawaii Island at this time. HVO continues to monitor any changes at Maunaloa, issuing daily updates until further notice.” Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island last erupted in 1984. There is no reason at this time for travelers to change or alter their leisure or business plans.” Clearly, the talk of a possible eruption was bad for business.

History of Mauna Loa Eruptions.

The current eruption zone, Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone, previously erupted 8 times since the mid-1800s. Those occurred in 1843, 1852, 1855–1856, 1880–1881, 1899, 1935–1936, 1942, and 1984. The lava flow from that zone can travel in many directions on the Big Island, including north, west, northwest, south, and southwest.

“Lava flows can change rapidly.” – USGS said regarding today’s eruption.

The eruption of Mauna Loa began at the summit and overnight migrated to the “Northeast Rift Zone,” where lava flow has been seen flowing. In a flyover this morning, it was determined that, at this time, lava flows are not threatening any Big Island communities, with the initial indication being that it will remain in the current rift zone.

It is typical for lava flows to erupt from either the volcano summit or at rift zones along its flanks. Lava travels downhill toward the ocean, and it buries everything en route. As lava enters the Pacific, it can build new land called deltas. The deltas are capable of long-distance (hundreds of yards) explosive activity associated with sudden collapse.

USGS said this morning, “based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa rift zone eruption can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.”

Last year’s eruption at Kilauea provoked this response re VOG from USGS.

When Kilauea erupted in the fall of 2021, USGS said that “high levels of volcanic gas are the primary hazard of concern, as this hazard can have far-reaching effects downwind. Large amounts of volcanic gas—primarily water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2)—are continuously released during the eruptions.”

When SO2 is released from a volcano, it reacts in the atmosphere and creates VOG (volcanic smog). USGS said, “Vog creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants, and affects livestock.”

Vog has been an ongoing airborne hazard in Hawaii for both residents and visitors. The worst situation we can recall began in 2007. It was extremely irritating, blanketed the Big Island, and was even a noxious problem 250 miles away on Kauai.

Volcano Travel to Big Island will resume.

Case in point: last year’s volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands left devastation, with homes and businesses disappearing in minutes. On the island of La Palma, the 85-day eruption destroyed 3,000 buildings.

Now, however, volcano tourism has become the silver lining that caused travel to rebound on La Palma with a vengeance, and visitors are arriving from both near and far. Volcanos are fascinating, pure, and simple. BOH editors traveled to the Big Island to see this lava flow from the water at night in 2016, as we photographed above.

Volcano help pages.

1. USGS volcano updates. https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates .

2. Big Island emergency response resources. https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/ departments/civil-defense/ active-civil-defense-alerts- and-maps.   (not accessible)

3. Information on Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including closures. https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm .

4. Vog information site. https://vog.ivhhn.org/ .

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15 thoughts on “Mauna Loa Eruption Will Alter Hawaii Travel In These Ways”

We have been on the Big Island when the volcano is running. That VOG stuff is very unpleasant. I know that some people come to the Big Island just to see the erupting volcano. We would not come to the Big Island during an eruption because of the VOG. Aloha

Wait a minute… didn’t you guys say that the media hyped up the news a month ago and that the volcano was not going to erupt any time soon?

Both HA and SWA made good decisions. HA is the expert on Hawaii, the pilots have a lot of experience inter island and the dispatchers are in HNL and know the weather patterns well. SWA dispatchers are on the mainland, relatively clueless about Hawaii and many of the pilots are inter island part timers who occasionally fly an inter island leg. It would have been irresponsible for them to operate without really knowing the situation. Good call for both.

I believe the article stated that HA is operating normally.

Of course, that was my point. HA is based in Hawaii and knew they could safely operate. Inter island for SWA is dispatched from the mainland by people that have no local knowledge of the actual conditions. SWA flight crew also has far less experience with Hawaii’s unique environment.

While your editorial was balanced enough, there is reportage (the Washington Post has an excellent summary) that modifies some of your observations. These include: 1. Once Mauna Loa defines a rift zone for flow outside the caldera, it usually does not change direction. The direction for this eruption is NE, good news for both east and west sides. The down slope on the NE zone is very gradual and could take weeks or months before reaching populated areas. 2. Pele’s hair is a significant risk only for those living near the volcano (almost no one) though finer thread can be carried by the wind (predominantly trades). 3. Even the vog situation is quite different than Kilauea vog since Kilauea is on the south and east side.

Make your travels take at your own risks laws or pay for your own rescue if need be. People come for fun but they also involved risky rescues on the Mountains and the oceans.

Mauna Kea 2021 eruption ???

Good Luck and thoughts to everyone that this eruption affects!

Foremost I hope there won’t be damage or loss to the BI residents and businesses. We are scheduled to arrive this weekend and monitoring closely.

We have a booked trip to the Big Island for February. Is there any reason to be concerned about that?

Of course there is. At a minimum you should purchase some travel insurance.

Empathy for your concern but February is ages away and lots …or very little beyond what’s already happening…can change from full blown lava rivers descending to populated areas to staying the same to a complete stop although that seems unlikely. If you’re visiting in the north and west… the Hamakua coast there’s little to fear…but the rest of the island could see an increase in ash fall …and fumes…not healthy.

I have lived on the BI through three Kilauea eruptions and now Mauna Loa. This one is quite different. Eruptions are typically localized events, affecting small portions of a very big island. This one is quite different. Several NE fissures are sending any lava towards Hilo along a very gradual slope. Could take weeks or months a continued eruption to reach populated areas. Even the vog (volcanic smog) and wind predictions send most vog northwest towards Maui, Oahu and Kauai.

Unless you are super sensitive to respiratory issues, there is no reason not to visit the island on this historic event.

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• Big Island Guide
• DESTINATIONS

Is it Safe to Visit Hawaii after the Eruption?

• SIGHTSEEING

Yes, it is safe to visit Hawaii even with all of the recent Volcanic Activity.

Image: USGS – The 2018 Kilauea Eruption lasted from April through August of 2018

Section of Road cut through the recent lava flow on the Kalapana-Kapoho Road.

Understanding What Part of the Big Island was Affected

Kilauea Has Been Continuously Erupting Since 1983

Image: USGS

Understanding A Shield Volcano

Image: J.D. Grigg/U.S. Geological Survey

Things to Consider When Visiting Hawaii in Relation to Volcanic Activity

Crystal Clear Horizon at Kua Bay on the Kona Coast. You can even see Maui in the distance.

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Hawaii volcanoes, explained

Over millions of years, volcanic eruptions have not only built the Hawaiian archipelago, they continually transform its landscape.

Without volcanoes, there would be no Hawaii. The eight primary islands that make up this archipelago owe their existence to a roiling spot of magma deep under the ocean floor known as the Hawaii hotspot.

The hotspot is thought to lurk for now below the archipelago's youngest and most active landmass, the Big Island of Hawaii. Its molten rock fuels the eruption of this island's four active volcanoes: Mauna Loa , Kīlauea , Hualālai , and the offshore underwater volcano Lōihi .

While the hotspot itself remains largely stationary, the overriding Pacific plate does not; it creeps northwest at a rate of three to four inches each year . Because of this, the volcanic activity on the planet's surface also shifts. That movement formed the series of islands, which are progressively older as you go westward. On the more ancient landmasses, the volcanoes are no longer active because they have been cut off from the hotspot's supply of magma.

Volcanoes born from this activity actually extend much further than we can see. The Hawaiian archipelago is merely the latest, largely above-water result of volcanism that began some 70 million years ago. It's part of a massive mountain range known as the Hawaiian Ridge-Emperor Seamounts chain , which stretches some 3,700 miles and nearly reaches the coast of Alaska.

Hawaii's volcanic hotspot

Most volcanoes form near the edges of Earth's tectonic plates, the ever-shifting puzzle pieces that make up the planet's surface. But the Hawaiian volcanic chain resides far from any plate edges. In 1963, Canadian geophysicist John Tuzo-Wilson proposed that tectonic plate movement over a hotspot could explain these volcanic enigmas.

In the years since, additional research has refined and added detail to that early notion. One particularly curious feature is that there's a sharp turn in the middle of the Hawaiian Ridge-Emperor Seamounts chain. While its origins have been debated, it likely reflects a shift in the motion of the Pacific plate.

Many more questions remain unanswered: Where do Hawaii's hotspot plumes come from? How long do they usually stick around? How does magma split between the Big Island's currently active volcanoes? With continued research, scientists hope to dig through these and other lingering mysteries.

Notable eruptions

Standing some 13,100 feet above sea level and encompassing more than 2,000 square miles, Mauna Loa bears the title of the second largest active volcano in the world. It last erupted in 1984, spouting lava down its eastern flank for 22 days .

But it was Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano that made global headlines in May 2018 as it embarked on a months-long eruption —the latest leg of a lengthy burst of activity that started in 1983. At times during the eruption, the lava spewed more than a hundred feet in the air and flowed like water, forming deadly rivers that inundated local communities and cost millions of dollars in damages and lost tourism.

The eruption also reshaped the island, forming a new black sand beach and even a short-lived baby island off its coast . The fiery rampage earned Kīlauea the top slot in the the U.S. Geological Survey's 2018 rankings of the most dangerous volcanoes in the U.S.

Destructive and productive

Many of the geologic beasts of the island chain have remained silent for thousands of years or more as the masses drifted further from the hotspot's font of magma. Take, for example, the geologically oldest—and now inactive— island of Kauai , which formed roughly five million years ago .

While eruptions can be destructive , plowing over houses and roasting plant life, each new flow is also productive. Layer upon layer of dark volcanic rock helps each island grow upward and outward, crafting the growing landmass's sweeping mountains, beaches, and cliffs.

Lava from five volcanoes laid the foundations of the Big Island of Hawaii; submarine volcanoes also likely contributed to building its base. Over time, rain and wind break the rocks down, releasing a rich array of nutrients that feed the famous tropical ecosystem.

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Help shape the future of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Public comment period extended to March 31

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The comment period to provide input about a plan that will address congestion, safety, resource protection and improve the visitor experience in the busy Kilauea summit area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been extended to March 31.

The park encourages public input, especially from those who hold a deep connection to Kilauea, who participate in cultural practices and recreate or conduct business within the park.

“The Kilauea Summit Area and Corridor Management Plan will identify management strategies and solutions to reduce conflicts among cars, buses, motorcycles, bicyclists (including e-bikes) and pedestrians on park roads and trails that traverse the popular and often-crowded summit of Kilauea volcano,” according to an HVNP press release.

An online newsletter describes the desired conditions of the project, the issues the plan will address and project goals, and will be available for comment at parkplanning.nps.gov/kilaueasummitcmp.

The public comment period began Feb. 22. This comment period is the initial phase of the plan, and future opportunities to provide input will be announced as the plan develops.

Since 2008, following the first significant summit eruption since 1924, park visitation has soared with most visitors drawn to areas between Uekahuna and Devastation, including Nahuku (Thurston) lava tube, Kilauea Iki, Kilauea Visitor Center, the entrance station and the overall summit corridor.

The high concentration of vehicles and people in a relatively small area often results in full parking lots, lines of traffic at the entrance station, crowded overlooks, resource damage and frustrated visitors.

Major damage to Crater Rim Drive and the loss of buildings and infrastructure during the 2018 Kilauea eruption and summit collapse has exacerbated park congestion, especially during eruptions, and the busy winter and summer holiday travel seasons.

The park lost Jaggar Museum, a portion of Crater Rim Drive, Halema‘uma‘u Overlook and ‘Iliahi Trail due to the eruptive events that year.

The need for, and development of, a Kilauea summit site plan was included in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 2016 General Management Plan.

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Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Latest advice amid volcano eruption

Tourists in Iceland have been evacuated from their accommodation following the fourth volcano eruption since December.

Icelandic police declared a state of emergency as a violent volcanic eruption continues to rock the Reykjanes Peninsula. 

The ongoing eruption is located 30km southwest of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, close to Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon wellness complex and hotels. 

The attraction had reopened earlier this month, however, was forced to evacuate guests and temporarily close when lava began spewing from a new volcanic fissure on Saturday night. 

Flights to and from Iceland are unaffected by the eruption. Online flight tracker flightradar24.com shows planes have been arriving and departing without interruption at Keflavík International Airport, which is 10 miles to the north-west of the eruption.

Here’s what you need to know if you are booked to travel to Iceland – and your rights if you choose to cancel your trip.

Is it safe to visit Iceland?

The FCDO is not currently warning against travel to Iceland. Those heading to the region should “monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area,” it advises. 

Travellers should “check for alerts and advice from the: Icelandic Met Office , Safe Travel Iceland , Almannavarnadeild Facebook page and Twitter (@almannavarnir) .”

I’m in Iceland now – can I come home early?

That depends on your airline or tour operator. The FCDO is not currently warning against travel to, or around, Iceland, so your transport provider is not compelled to curtail your trip, nor offer a refund if you choose to head home early. As above, you should monitor the situation via the IMO’s official channels.

If you do change your travel plans, it is likely that you will have to pay for the privilege – though if you have a flexible ticket, the charge may be waived. Speak to your airline or tour operator directly, before you take any decisive action. 

Should I cancel my holiday to Iceland?

Unless the FCDO changes its advice to warn against travel to Iceland, or the area to which you are headed, it is likely that your holiday will proceed as planned. 

If you choose to cancel your holiday, it is highly unlikely that you will be covered by travel insurance.

Iceland holidays are currently going ahead as normal, says Georgina Hancock, Marketing Director of regional specialist Discover the World. “To date we have had to rearrange a few of our clients’ itineraries who were set to visit the Reykjanes area including the Blue Lagoon. They are all still travelling but will just be visiting other areas in south Iceland.”

An easyJet holidays spokesperson said: “Our holidays are currently going ahead as planned, however we are continuing to very closely monitor the situation and, should anything change, we will be in touch with our customers directly.”

Will I be covered by travel insurance if I visit Iceland? 

Yes, as long as the FCDO does not warn against travel to Iceland. If you are concerned, speak to your provider directly – and ensure that you keep the “emergency” phone number to-hand while abroad, in case the situation intensifies. 

Where is the Blue Lagoon – and is it safe to visit?

The Blue Lagoon wellness complex reopened to visitors on March 4, however following the latest eruption has temporarily closed. 

“Due to a volcanic eruption that commenced at Sundhnúkagígar on March 16, we have evacuated and temporarily closed all our operational units,” read a statement on the attraction’s website. 

The seismic activity is focused in the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system of the Reykjanes peninsula, in south-west Iceland. Svartsengi, where the Blue Lagoon is located, has experienced extensive earthquakes and land rise in recent weeks. 

The Blue Lagoon geothermal pool, Blue Cafe, Lava Restaurant, Retreat Spa, Spa Restaurant and the on-site Blue Lagoon Skincare store will remain closed through Tuesday, March 19. All guests with bookings during this temporary closure period will be contacted.

The wellness complex in Svartsengi, near Keflavik Airport, had been closed since November 9 due to seismic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula, before reopening earlier this month.

How long will the Iceland volcano risk last?

“There has been some discussion, led by the IMO, about this eruption being part of an uptick in activity that could see decades of increased activity,” says Matthew Watson, Professor of Volcanoes and Climate at the University of Bristol. 

“The evidence for this is the fact that there have been multiple eruptions along the same series of fissures in the peninsula in the last few years, and before that an 800 year gap.

“Looking at previous eruptions in the region, a single outburst typically lasts weeks to months: this is true of the three most recent eruptions on the peninsula, for example. Some eruptions in Iceland can last longer.”

Last year, residents of nearby town Grindavík were evacuated by Iceland’s Civil Protection Agency amid cautions of a “river of magma”, noxious gases and “fire fountains” in the area. 

The Reykjanes peninsula is a key tourism area of Iceland, home to Keflavik Airport, the nation’s busiest air hub, which is connected to Britain by easyJet, British Airways and other major airlines. 

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is located around 50km from the volcanic system. 

Will the Iceland volcano affect flights, like during the Eyjafjallajokull ash cloud?

The billowing ash cloud of Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused global travel disruption in spring 2010, amid worries that the particles and debris could damage aircraft engines. Commercial flights across Europe were halted for almost a week – leaving 50,000 flights grounded, and an estimated 10 million travellers stranded.

The disruption lasted for almost a week, causing the highest level of air travel disruption since the Second World War. 

Could this new wave of seismic activity lead to similar chaos?

No, because the activity is occurring beneath solid ground, not under a glacier, says Paavo Nikkola, Research Scientist at the Geological Survey of Finland GTK. 

“A volcanic ash cloud like in 2010 is not possible now,” Nikkola told Finnish broadcast organisation Yle. “Back then, the ash was generated by a large explosive eruption beneath a glacier.”

The region has experienced several eruptions in recent years, none of which affected flights,  advises a spokesperson from PLAY, a low-cost airline headquartered at Keflavik International Airport. “Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity, with three eruptions having taken place on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the last two years and no disruption to flights. It has some of the most advanced volcanic preparedness systems in the world to safeguard the public and is well prepared for every eventuality.”

Are flights to Iceland being cancelled?

Online flight tracker flightradar24.com shows aircraft arriving and departing without interruption at Keflavík International Airport, which is 10 miles to the north-west of the eruption. 

The likes of Icelandair, easyJet and British Airways connect Keflavik, the nation’s major airline hub, with Britain – and it is a key stopover hub for transatlantic flights. It is the gateway to Reykjavik, the nation’s capital 50 minutes’ drive away.

This story was first published in November 2023 and has been revised and updated.

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