LIVE Mauna Loa lava continues approach to highway

Dec. 6—Related Photo Gallery: Lava flow from Mauna Loa eruption less than 2 miles from key highway

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The Mauna Loa eruption has reached its ninth day as the lava flow marches slowly north toward the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, which remains open to traffic in both directions.

As of 5 a.m. today, the leading edge of the Fissure No. 3 lava flow was about 1.93 miles from Daniel K. Inouye Highway, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Over the past 24 hours, the lava flow moved at an average rate of about 68 feet per hour, about twice the rate over the past several days. The advance rate varied from 62 to 90 feet per hour during shorter periods, the observatory said.

COURTESY USGS

This map shows an aerial and visual thermal image of the Mauna Loa eruption on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2 and 5. Click here to view the map.

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Although Daniel K. Inouye Highway is still open, all areas adjacent to the highway, Old Saddle Road and near the lava flow are closed and prohibited from public access, civil defense said.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for the interior areas of Hawaii island and fog is also expected to make driving hazardous, according to civil defense.

No communities are currently at risk.