The largest active volcano in Hawaii, Mauna Loa, erupted for the first time in 40 years. High up on the volcano, rivers of molten rock could be seen, and the island was covered in enormous clouds of steam and smoke.
The ‘long mountain’
Hawaii’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, which translates to “long mountain,” occupies almost half of the Big Island and is considerably larger than all of the other Hawaiian islands put together.
Volcanic evolution
One of Hawaii’s six active volcanoes, Mauna Lao has erupted almost 33 times since 1843. The eruption in Laos that lasted up to 22 days and generated a lava flow that extended about seven kilometres was the longest.
Showing signs of eruptions for long
The volcano in Hawaii is reportedly spewing lava and hot ash with its first eruption in 40 years, according to US authorities, who have put officials on notice. According to the US Geological Service (USGS), Mauna Loa has been displaying eruption-related symptoms for a few years. A town on Hawaii’s main island called Kona, located about 45 miles away, could see the volcanic eruption.
No threat, says USGS
According to the US Geological Service (USGS), the lava is now contained within the peak and is not a threat to people living downslope at this time. The summit area and highways have been closed, according to the Hawaiian authorities, although two shelters have been opened as a precaution.
We should all keep an eye on it
According to vulcanologist Robin George Andrews, the eruption was initially confined up until this point.
Andres tweeted about it as follows: “Oof. Lava is now erupting from fresh vents on the slopes along Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone, or NERZ. That brings a new hazardous dimension to the eruption.”
He said, “The fact that it is a hazardous mountain that hasn’t erupted since 1984 the longest eruptive pause in its recorded history — is why we should all keep an eye on it.”