Steady lava flow creeps towards highway

Many people on the Big Island of Hawaii are bracing for major upheaval if lava from Mauna Loa volcano slides across a key highway and blocks the quickest route connecting two sides of the island.

The molten rock could make the road impassable and force drivers to find alternate coastal routes in the north and south.  The lava is oozing slowly at a rate that might reach the road this week.

But its path is unpredictable and could change course, or the flow could stop completely and spare the highway. The slow-moving flow stayed consistent throughout the weekend. United States Geological Survey did lower the notice to airmen from red to orange meaning there is no threat to regional air traffic.