Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, erupted for the first time in almost four decades on Sunday.
Was the Mauna Loa eruption to be expected?
Mauna Loa might be one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in the world. However, we are far from understanding its eruption patterns.
Mauna Loa’s Eruption in 1859 lasted over 300 days and produced a terrifying 32-mile-long flow, completely destroying villages and other essential resources.
In comparison, the Mauna Loa eruption, which took place 91 years later, lasted for over 20 days. However, it still produced 491 million cubic yards of lava onto Hawaii’s Big Island, severely damaging the destination’s infrastructure.
Researchers have been on alert since 2019 after noticing how much Mauna Loa was quaking & changing shape, which suggested that the magma was churning within. This reached a new level of concern in September 2022, leading the Hawaiian civil Defence members to have meetings to prepare residents in the wake of an emergency.
Is the situation under control?
The lava flow has been successfully contained within the summit, but nearby residents have been alerted about the risk of falling ash, which pollutes water, destroys vegetation and irritates the lungs.
The US Geological Service (USGS) has said the situation could turn dire at any given moment.
“Based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa eruption can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly,” the USGS said.
If the eruption migrates beyond the walls of the summit caldera, lava flows could “move rapidly downslope”, it added.
The volcano’s alert level was heightened from an “advisory” to a “warning” – the highest classification for a situation of this sort.
Despite the above, no evacuation orders have been issued, and while they are not ruling out the chances of the situation worsening, the emergency officials say that it is “unlikely” that the residents will be impacted by the Mauna Loa eruption.
The Mauna Loa Eruption: Key Points
- Hawaiian Country Civil Defence has provided further guidance to the residents at risk of Mauna Loa lava flows.
- Early on, during Mauna Loa’s eruption, lava advances changed rapidly.
- Additionally, Hawaii’s civil Defence agency helped residents prepare for an emergency by holding meetings across the island.
- From 1843 until the recent eruption, Mauna Loa erupted 33 times.
- Half of the island is covered by this active volcano.
- It is also one of Hawaii’s six volcanoes.
We hope everyone in the affected area is staying safe during this time.
