Mauna Loa volcano is the most important energetic volcano on Earth, it simply began erupting. Here is the caldera filling up with lava within the final 2 hours (final body from 14min in the past). Take care my pals on Large Island!
Photographs 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 Nationwide Park – is now in eruption for the primary time since 1984. Hawaii Information 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 a protracted fissure erupting fountains of lava which was spreading alongside the caldera flooring.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially mentioned that lava was contained to the caldera. However inside two hours of the beginning of the eruption, residents on the Kona aspect of the volcano recorded photos that appeared to indicate lava beginning to circulation 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. Presently, lava flows are contained inside the summit space and will not be threatening downslope communities. Winds might carry volcanic fuel and probably fantastic ash and Pele’s hair [cooled lava, stretched into thin strands] downwind.
Residents in danger from Mauna Loa lava flows ought to assessment preparedness and consult with Hawai‘i County Civil Protection data for additional steerage.
Based mostly on previous occasions, the early phases of a Mauna Loa eruption could be very dynamic and the placement and advance of lava flows can change quickly.
If the eruption stays in Moku’aweoweo, lava flows will almost definitely be confined inside the caldera partitions. Nevertheless, if the eruptive vents migrate exterior its partitions, lava flows might transfer quickly downslope.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is in shut session with emergency administration companions and might be monitoring the volcano intently to supply 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.
Photographs from higher Napo’opo’o space & Kona close to Manago Resort taken by Large Island residents. pic.twitter.com/Exf3EI4x0t
— JeanneSchultzAfuvai???????????? (@TutuAfuvai) November 28, 2022
Summit, cabins and high-elevation areas closed
The encompassing Hawai‘i Volcanoes Nationwide Park had beforehand 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 might be up to date.
Round 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
Backside line: Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii is erupting for the first time in 38 years. At first, lava seemed to be confined to the volcano’s caldera, however now it’s been reported flowing downslope.