
Road to Mauna Loa Observatory Reopened, Restarting Critical Atmospheric Measurements
NOAA reopened the road to Mauna Loa Observatory on March 26, 2026 after lava from the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption buried the route, enabling the restart of most atmospheric measurements (about 68% of daily programs active) and resumption of limited operations; full power restoration and full-suite science runs are pending, while a multi-year campus redevelopment will upgrade facilities, including a new 130‑foot tower and enhanced infrastructure.