What does Mauna Loa look like right now? Photos show surreal view from volcanic eruption
Photos and videos of the eruption of Mauna Loa have started to spread on social media.
Some photos taken shortly after the volcano started erupting at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, show an eerie red glow on the horizon as lava reflected on the atmosphere and fire-tinted clouds of ash and smoke billowed out from the summit. The hazy glow was still viewable as the sun started to rise over the island.
And despite the potentially destructive properties of an eruption, some remarked how beautiful the view also was. Many shared photos taken from backyards, businesses and coastal areas.
“Mauna Loa erupting at sunrise is literally the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” one Twitter user wrote in a post in which they also shared photos. The user said they had woken up to the volcano erupting and also shared a video of the eruption and wrote: “Video of the beautiful power of nature.”
Mauna Loa erupting at sunrise is literally the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/YQdDfKHCMH
— Paul (@pfranci2) November 28, 2022
Another user shared a photo of the view from the sea wall in Kona.
“This is an amazing sight, in my 40+ years of going to the big island I’ve never seen an eruption this close to Kona,” they wrote.
A friend sent me this photo of Mauna Loa erupting last night. This is the view from the sea wall in Kona, near the King K. This is an amazing sight, in my 40+ years of going to the big island I've never seen an eruption this close to Kona. pic.twitter.com/pMYIwdY20E
— JustAFeverDreamSuzzzz (@NachistasNest) November 28, 2022
Another user posted a video of volcanic ash spewing into the sky in the distance.
Mauna Loa Volcano Erupting Kailua Kona Big Island of Hawaii #maunaloa pic.twitter.com/NnxPgrYIGA
— Matthew Liano (@mattliano) November 28, 2022
“She’s awake!” another user wrote. “View of Mauna Loa erupting from Saddle Road this morning.”
She’s Awake! View of Mauna Loa erupting from Saddle Road this morning. #maunaloa #hawaii #volcano #eruption #bigisland pic.twitter.com/KOfsx3UbbE
— Elizabeth Cano (@ElizabethCano__) November 28, 2022
The Hawaii Pacific Parks Association wrote on Twitter that it was “an amazing time to be on Hawai’i Island.”
HPPA’s Al was up early to see the historic eruption of #MaunaLoa this morning. Mauna Loa is currently erupting concurrently with Kilauea. It is an amazing time to be on Hawai’i Island. Watch @Volcanoes_NPS and @USGSVolcanoes for breaking news! pic.twitter.com/enjepCapcR
— Hawaii Pacific Parks Association (@HIPacParks) November 28, 2022
HPPAer Emma and family were awakened by the eruption of #MaunaLoa as seen from the Golf Course subdivision near the summit of Kīlauea Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island. Exciting times for our staff and island. pic.twitter.com/WWmCJbL61l
— Hawaii Pacific Parks Association (@HIPacParks) November 28, 2022
By morning, the eerie red glow had all but disappeared and given way to clouds of white ash and smoke.
The U.S. Geological Survey Volcanoes shared photos of the eruption’s lava flow from a Civil Air Patrol flight. The photos showed a band of glowing lava creeping downslope to the north, USGS Volcanoes said.
#MaunaLoa is erupting from vents on the Northeast Rift zone. Flows are moving downslope to the north. USGS Photos from Civil Air Patrol fight. #MaunaLoaErupts @Volcanoes_NPS @Hawaii_EMA @CivilDefenseHI pic.twitter.com/kUYWYPdk4L
— USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) November 28, 2022
The eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of the 13,100-foot volcano, at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported.
The observatory initially said lava flows were contained to the caldera, but some Kona residents reported lava flowing down the mountain, HawaiiNewsNow reported.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory told residents and visitors to be on the lookout for ash, gas vog, and Pele’s Hair that could be carried downwind from the volcano, McClatchy News reported.
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