More than two years after road access and electrical power to the Mauna Loa Observatory was cut off by lava flows, NOAA staff continue to make critical measurements of the atmosphere and other environmental variables at the remote site.
In 2023, observatory staff installed solar panels at the site and resumed some measurements, including the independent carbon dioxide monitoring programs run by the Global Monitoring Laboratory and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as well as other atmospheric measurements.
Construction of a temporary road to access the observatory site is anticipated to begin in summer 2025.
Media can contact: Theo Stein (303) 819-7409 (theo.stein@noaa.gov)
Earth System Research Laboratory: Introduction
MLO Road Conditions
The lowest 5 miles of the access road to MLO were paved in March and April of 2007. This repair has made the road much more drivable, although drivers should be cautioned that there are still potholes and rough areas of road in the higher section of the road.
The photographs below show aerial views of Mauna Loa Observatory and the access road. The windy, single lane road traverses various lava flows as it gently climbs to the MLO facility at over 11,000 feet above sea level.
When driving on the MLO road, please be aware of the deep potholes and broken sections of road. Also be advised that the single-lane road has several blind turns and few places to safely yield to oncoming traffic. Proceed with caution!
The pictures below were taken on January 20, 2005. Note that the lowest section of the road (5 miles) has been repaved, but there still remain patches of road in poor condition in the middle and upper sections.
Below is a map of the MLO road.
The numbers along side of road are where blind spots occur.
