Smoke filled the Hawaiian night sky on Sunday, glowing a brilliant red, signaling the eruption of the world’s largest active volcano.
Mauna Loa, which means “tall mountain” in Hawaiian, erupted at approximately 11:30 p.m. local time on Sunday. According to the US Geological Survey, it was showing signs of disturbance since September.
The federal agency has designated the volcano’s alert level as “alert,” meaning that “a dangerous eruption is imminent, ongoing, or suspected.” (Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, The World’s Largest Active Volcano, Erupts After 38 Years)
There was no evacuation call till Monday morning. Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said the eruption did not appear to pose any threat to mountain communities. But as a precaution, the Hawaiian government opened shelters at the Old Kona Airport in Kailua-Kona and Kauai Jim in Pahala for those who chose to evacuate.
Mauna Loa Is Taller Than Mount Everest
Mauna Loa is one of 15 volcanoes located on the eight main islands of Hawaii. According to the US National Park Service, it makes up about 51% of the island of Hawaii. From sea level, it rises more than 1,000 feet to 30,000 feet above the height of Mount Everest. Much of Mauna Loa is underwater at only 13,000 feet above sea level. (Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, The World’s Largest Active Volcano, Erupts After 38 Years)
The first lava flows from the volcano date from 600,000 to one million years ago. Scientists estimate that Mauna Loa probably rose above sea level about 300,000 years ago and has been rising rapidly ever since.
Eruption ends longest period of calm on record at Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since written eruption records began in 1843. The last eruption occurred in March 1984 and lasted for three weeks. Lava erupted five miles beyond Hilo, the largest city on the archipelago’s big island.
One of the most devastating eruptions occurred in the spring of 1868, when 4,000 acres of land were destroyed and 77 residents were killed in landslides and tsunami- and earthquake-induced landslides. The lava flow lasted for five days and the eruption is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters in Hawaiian history. Mauna Loa’s Lava Flow Can Change Rapidly
As of Monday morning local time, the lava appeared to be contained and was showing no signs of exiting the summit. But Mauna Loa’s eruptions have a history of being dynamic, and its lava flow can change rapidly in its early stages. (Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, The World’s Largest Active Volcano, Erupts After 38 Years)
Mauna Loa also spews lava at a very high rate, which can be especially dangerous when descending the volcano’s steep slopes. The US Geological Survey said it could produce “fast, long-distance lava flows”, requiring a “rapid response”.
There is also a risk of winds carrying volcanic gas and fine ash downwind to nearby communities.
