Mauna Loa volcano is the most important lively volcano on Earth, it simply began erupting. Here’s the caldera filling up with lava within the final 2 hours (final body from 14min in the past). Take care my buddies on Big Island!
Images used to make this gif from: https://t.co/dIK3AnLiYX https://t.co/uUVkIIBrlC pic.twitter.com/ZfvVi5O7Oi— Dr James O’Donoghue (@physicsJ) November 28, 2022
Mauna Loa volcano is erupting
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) issued an alert in the course of the night time final night time (11:45 p.m. HST on November 27, 2022) that the well-known Mauna Loa volcano – positioned inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park – is now in eruption for the primary time since 1984. Hawaii News Now reported early on November 28 in a narrative titled Mauna Loa erupting; county opens shelters as South Kona residents self-evacuate:
USGS webcams on the summit clearly confirmed an extended fissure erupting fountains of lava which was spreading alongside the caldera ground.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially mentioned that lava was contained to the caldera. But inside two hours of the beginning of the eruption, residents on the Kona facet of the volcano recorded photos that appeared to indicate lava beginning to move down the mountain.
Lava confined to caldera, at first
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) had beforehand written this alert:
At roughly 11:30 p.m. HST this night, November 27, an eruption started in Moku’aweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside. At this time, lava flows are contained inside the summit space and will not be threatening downslope communities. Winds could carry volcanic fuel and presumably advantageous ash and Pele’s hair [cooled lava, stretched into thin strands] downwind.
Residents in danger from Mauna Loa lava flows ought to overview preparedness and confer with Hawai‘i County Civil Defense info for additional steering.
Based on previous occasions, the early phases of a Mauna Loa eruption will be very dynamic and the placement and advance of lava flows can change quickly.
If the eruption stays in Moku’aweoweo, lava flows will more than likely be confined inside the caldera partitions. However, if the eruptive vents migrate exterior its partitions, lava flows could transfer quickly downslope.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is in shut session with emergency administration companions and will probably be monitoring the volcano intently to offer additional updates on exercise. As quickly as attainable, HVO will conduct aerial reconnaissance to higher describe the eruption and assess hazards.
Hawaii Island ~ Mauna Loa volcano is erupting! Not overflowing the caldera right now.
Photos from higher Napo’opo’o space & Kona close to Manago Hotel taken by Big Island residents. pic.twitter.com/Exf3EI4x0t
— JeanneSchultzAfuvai???????????? (@TutuAfuvai) November 28, 2022
Summit, cabins and high-elevation areas closed
The surrounding Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park had previously closed Mauna Loa’s summit, cabins and high-elevation areas resulting from elevated seismicity, because the USGS continued to intently monitor Mauna Loa for adjustments.
This story will probably be up to date.
Around 11:30 p.m. HST final night time, @NOAA‘s #GOESWest ?? captured the eruption of Hawaii’s #MaunaLoa volcano, inside @Volcanoes_NPS.
This imagery reveals the warmth signature and the sulfur dioxide launched from the #volcano‘s summit caldera, Moku‘?weoweo. pic.twitter.com/gHEG63rbLb
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) November 28, 2022
Bottom line: Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii is erupting for the first time in 38 years. At first, lava gave the impression to be confined to the volcano’s caldera, however now it’s been reported flowing downslope.
