Mauna Loa: World’s largest active volcano erupts in Hawaii for 1st time in 40 years

Hawaii: Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, erupted for the first time since 1984. The night sky above Hawaii in US turned fiery as hot lava sprang forth at the volcano’s summit on Monday.

There were signs that an eruption might occur as the region had witnessed several earthquakes and tremors as recently as Sunday. A USGS webcam on Mauna Loa summit’s north rim showed long bright eruptive fissures within the volcanic crater, contrasted against the dark of night.

Flows of lava remained “contained” within the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, but the eruption could pose a threat to nearby residents should conditions change, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported at 11:45 pm local time Sunday (9:45 GMT Monday) some 15 minutes after the eruption inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Mauna Loa eruption shots from early this morning. Flights cancelled in and out of local airports… strap in for some wild times Big Island.

VC: Lofty Productions (me)#hawaii #maunaloa #lava #eruption #bigisland pic.twitter.com/d0uF8WbgqX

— Jordan Christopher (@cameramanjordan) November 28, 2022

The lava is contained within the summit and does not threaten Hawaiians living downslope for now, the US Geological Service (USGS) said. However, the agency warned that volcanic gases and fine ash may drift into residential areas.

Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on the planet, is erupting now on the Big Island of Hawai’i after being dormant for 38 years. Follow along to see footage captured by our team 🌋 pic.twitter.com/6busmUpXJr

— Paradise Helicopters (@Paradisecopters) November 29, 2022

Mauna Loa is part of the chain of volcanoes that formed the islands of Hawaii. It last erupted in March and April of 1984, sending a flow of lava within 8 km of Hilo, the island’s largest city.