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)
Visiting Scientists
* All downloadable documents are in Adobe Reader (.pdf) format
Work Visitation
- If you need to schedule a visit to MLO for project maintenance or other work-related reasons, please contact Aidan Colton by email or phone (808-933-6965 x233).
Request A New Project
- If you are setting up a new MLO research project, please download and complete the Baseline Observatory Cooperative Agreement Form. This form is required by the NOAA ESRL GML.
General Information and Logistics
- "Information for Visiting Cooperative Investigators and ESRL Staff" [ download ]
This document describes how to apply for a new program, and also lists details for scheduling a visit to MLO (such as contact information, lodging, car rental, food, utilities, medical attention, internet service, power availability, and work environment). It also covers transporting work materials and equipment to and from the observatory. - "Important Things to Remember When Visiting MLO" [ download ] [ online ]
This information serves as a general preparation checklist for anyone visiting the observatory. Special attention is given to what you can expect while at our high altitude site, and what you will need to do beforehand to prepare.