Mauna Loa news - live: Rare dual-eruption event created with nearby Kilauea volcano

Hawaii officials have released a new map of the Mauna Loa eruption, revealing the areas currently under threat from lava spewing out of the world’s largest active volcano.

In a Monday night update, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said that no populated areas were under threat but that officials would provide updates if the situation changed.

While residents may not be at risk from the lava, the Hawaii Department of Health is warning the public about risks of air quality hazards such as vog conditions, ash in the air, and rising levels of sulfur dioxide.

Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in nearly four decades late on Sunday night, triggering dozens of earthquakes of more than 2.5 magnitudes on the Richter scale, one of them clocking in at 4.2.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the eruption on the state’s Big Island began at approximately 11.30pm local time on Sunday in Mokuaweoweo, the summit caldera of the volcano.

Footage from US Geological Survey (USGS) webcams at the summit captured fountains of lava spewing from a long fissure and spreading across the caldera floor.

Key Points

• Rare dual-eruption event as pair of volcanoes light up the sky

• Residents shared concerns weeks before eruption

• Lava reached sea in under three hours during 1950 eruption

• Videos and photos show red glow from volcano eruption

• New map shows path of eruptive activity

• Hawaii officials warn about risks of air quality hazards

Rare dual-eruption expected to draw visitors to catch pair of volcanoes lighting up the sky

15:30 , Johanna Chisholm

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park shared a picture on the park’s social media page on Monday that showed something not seen for nearly 40 years: Mauna Loa and Kilauea, a nearby volcano, erupting at the same time.

The rare dual-eruption event, the park said, hasn’t happened since 1984 and the park expects that as the pair continue to ooze lava - Kilauea has been erupting for more than a year - they will likely draw an influx of visitors to catch a shot of the fiery horizon.

“Viewing areas along KÄ«lauea caldera before sunrise revealed a massive glow from Mauna Loa caldera, Mokuʻāweoweo (13,677 ft. elevation) and a smaller lava lake within HalemaÊ»umaÊ»u (4,009 ft.) at the summit of KÄ«lauea,” the park wrote on Monday, nearly 24 hours after the world’s largest active volcano began erupting.

Visitors planning a trip to HawaiÊ»i Volcanoes National Park should be prepared and stay informed, the park’s superintendent, Rhonda Loh, said in the post, while noting that the park remains open.

Watch: US Coast Guard flies over Mauna Loa

15:10 , Johanna Chisholm

The US Coast Guard conducted a fly-over on Mauna Loa using a C-130 Hercules for the mission.

Watch a clip of the footage below.

Residents encouraged to know their inundation zone and plan ahead

14:30 , Johanna Chisholm

Hawaii County is encouraging residents to check an interactive map of potential lava inundation zones that could be impacted as the eruption progresses from vents upslope.

A further map helps residents identify their property’s hazard zone. These zones are used to understand the long-term likelihood of lava flow coverage and are numbered between one and nine. Zone 1 is the most hazardous and it includes summit and rift zone areas where eruptions have occurred repeatedly.

How does climate change impact volcanic eruptions?

14:10 , Johanna Chisholm

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet, has erupted for the first time in nearly four decades.

While the eruption of Mauna Loa is a rare occurrence, the climate crisis could lead to more volcanic activity, some scientists say.

The greenhouse gas emissions heating the planet are melting glaciers and in turn destabilizing mountains, creating conditions for volcanic eruptions that were previously restrained.

“Imagine the ice like some sort of protective layer – when the ice melts away, the mountain is free to collapse,” Gioachino Roberti, a PhD student researching volcanic activity at the University of Clermont Auvergne, previously toldThe Independent. “If your mountain is a volcano you have another problem. Volcanoes are a pressurised system and if you remove pressure by ice melting and landslide, you have a problem.”

Louise Boyle has more details here.

How does climate change impact volcanic eruptions?

Watch: World’s largest active volcano erupts in Hawaii for first time in almost 40 years

13:50 , Johanna Chisholm

Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet, has erupted for the first time in almost 40 years.

Footage shows the sky glowing red as the volcano erupted on Hawaii‘s Big Island.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said that the eruption began at 11:30pm local time on Sunday, 27 November.

Dozens of earthquakes, some of more than 2.5 on the richter scale, were triggered by the eruption.

The last eruption at Mauna Loa occurred in 1984.

Mauno Loa: World’s largest active volcano erupts for first time in almost 40 years

Mauna Loa’s eruption led to rare dual-eruption event with nearby Kilauea

13:30 , Johanna Chisholm

After news broke that the world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, had begun erupting for the first time in nearly 40 years on Sunday night, eyes quickly turned to its neighbouring Kilauea, in hopes that they might be able to catch a rare glimpse of a dual-eruption event.

Those who’d pinned their hopes of catching such a sight were rewarded come early Monday morning, as the sky was set ablaze by the pair of erupting volcanoes at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

Kilauea, located just 21 miles away from the larger Mauna Loa, has been erupting for more than a year.

But it was the first time in 38 years that the pair of volcanoes erupted simultaneously this week, treating park visitors to a stunning - and rare - shot that was widely shared on social media.

Neither eruptions are currently threatening homes or nearby infrastructure at this time, the park said, though state health officials warned of potential impacts on air quality.

What is vog?

13:10 , Johanna Chisholm

Though residents may not necessarily be at risk of lava flows at this moment, the Hawaii Department of Health is warning the public about risks of air quality hazards such as vog conditions, ash in the air, and rising levels of sulfur dioxide.

‘Vog’ is a kind of hazy air pollution that is created after a volcanic emissions when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles react with oxygen in the air in the presence of sunlight. Vog, a combo of the words “volcanic” and “smog”, is created within hours to days after an eruption and in that time converts to fine particles, which scatter sunlight, causing the visible haze that can be observed after an eruption.

In the case of Mauna Loa, areas far downwind (e.g., the west side of HawaiÊ»i Island and other islands in the state) are mostly affected by the fine particles, while those residing closer to the eruptive vents, including the communities ranging from Ocean View to Hilo, can be exposed to both SO₂ gas and fine particles during periods of vog.

SO₂ is a colourless, irritating gas that has an acrid odour like fireworks or a burning match. It is also emitted from sources such as fossil fuel power plants and motor vehicles.

Vog contains mostly SO₂ and acid particles, in contrast to urban, industrial, and other pollution sources, which also contain additional toxic contaminants, such as ozone and hydrocarbons.

Recap: More than a dozen earthquakes herald eruption of world’s largest active volcano

12:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Hawaii’s National Weather Service branch has issued an ashfall warning after an eruption began on Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth, on the state’s Big Island.

The eruption, the volcano’s first in nearly four decades, has triggered dozens of earthquakes of more than 2.5 magnitude on the Richter scale, one of them clocking in at 4.2.

Andrew Naughtie reports.

World’s largest active volcano erupts

Video footage shows eruption being captured from 72km away

12:30 , Johanna Chisholm

Social media users quickly began sharing footage of the Mauna Loa eruption from late Sunday night into early on Tuesday morning, with some clips showing the plumes of grey smoke and amber lava being spotted from more than 70km away.

In Pictures: Mauna Loa erupts

12:10 , Johanna Chisholm

Latest US Geological Survey update

11:50 , Johanna Chisholm

The latest update from the US Geological Survey (USGS), reported at 2.55am Pacific Standard Time, said that the federal agency does “not expect upper fissures to reactivate” but noted that additional fissures could open along the Northeast Rift Zone below the current location, which means that lava flows can continue to travel downslope.

“There is no active lava within Moku’āweoweo caldera, and there is no lava erupting from the Southwest Rift Zone. We do not expect any eruptive activity outside the Northeast Rift Zone,” the update read. “No property is at risk currently. There is a visible gas plume from the erupting fissure fountains and lava flows, with the plume primarily being blown to the Northwest.”

Read the full update here.

Hawaii officials warn about risks of air quality hazards

11:30 , Rachel Sharp

The Hawaii Department of Health is warning the public about risks of air quality hazards such as vog conditions, ash in the air, and rising levels of sulfur dioxide – following the eruption of Mauna Loa.

As of 2pm local time on Monday, permanent air quality monitoring stations across the state reported that air quality remains normal.

However, conditions are changing rapidly, and poor air quality may be very localised, the agency warned.

The agency released the following guidance for residents in the event of voggy conditions:

• Reduce outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing. Avoiding outdoor activity and exercise during vog conditions can reduce exposure and minimize health risks. This is especially important for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic lung and heart disease.

• People with asthma or a chronic respiratory disease should always have medications available. Daily prescribed medications should be taken on schedule.

• People experiencing health effects should contact their medical provider as soon as possible if any symptoms develop, as respiratory conditions might worsen rapidly in heavy sulfur dioxide or vog conditions.

• Stay indoors and close windows and doors. If an air conditioner is used, set it to recirculate. If you need to move out of an impacted area, turn on the car’s air conditioner and set it to recirculate.

• Face masks (surgical, cloth, KF94, KN95, N95) do not provide protection from sulfur dioxide or vog. However, they can be effective in outdoor environments in reducing inhaled hazardous particulates associated with falling ash and Pele’s hair.

• Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

How do scientists monitor Mauna Loa?

11:00 , Rachel Sharp

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has more than 60 GPS stations on Mauna Loa taking measurements to estimate the location and the amount of magma accumulating beneath the surface.

Scientists use tiltmeters to track long-term changes in the tilting of the ground, helping them identify when the ground is swelling or deflating. A rapid change in tilt can indicate when an eruption will occur.

There’s also a thermal webcam at Mauna Loa’s summit that will identify the presence of heat. And satellite radar can keep track of ground swelling and deflation.

AP

10:38 , Rachel Sharp

Hawaii officials have released a new map of the Mauna Loa eruption, revealing the areas currently under threat from lava spewing out of the world’s largest active volcano.

In a Monday night update, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said that no populated areas were under threat but that officials would provide updates if the situation changed.

“The Mauna Loa eruption has focused on the NE Rift Zone. No populated areas are currently threatened, so the HVO social media team will sign off for the night,” the department tweeted.

“We’ll break in if there are any major changes and will be back in the morning. Latest map and morning photo attached.”

How are volcanic eruptions impacted by climate change?

08:50 , Oliver O'Connell

While the eruption of Mauna Loa is a rare occurrence, the climate crisis could lead to more volcanic activity, some scientists say.

The greenhouse gas emissions heating the planet are melting glaciers and in turn destabilizing mountains, creating conditions for volcanic eruptions that were previously restrained.

Louise Boyle explains.

How does climate change impact volcanic eruptions?

Why didn’t Mauna Loa explode like Mount St Helens?

06:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Fifty-seven people died when Washington state’s Mount St Helens erupted in 1980 and blasted more than 1,300ft (400m) off the top of the mountain. Steam, rocks and volcanic gas burst upward and outward. A plume of volcanic ash rose over 80,000ft (24,384m) and rained down as far as 250 miles (400km) away.

Hawaii volcanoes like Mauna Loa tend not to have explosion eruptions like this.

That’s because their magma is hotter, drier and more fluid, said Hannah Dietterich, a research geophysicist at the US Geological Survey’s Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The magma in Mount St Helens tends to be stickier and traps more gas, making it much more likely to explode when it rises.

The gas in the magma of Hawaii’s volcanoes tends to escape, and so lava flows down the side of their mountains when they erupt.

Hawaii’s volcanoes are called shield volcanoes because successive lava flows over hundreds of thousands of years build broad mountains that resemble the shape of a warrior’s shield.

Shield volcanos are also found in California and Idaho as well as Iceland and the Galapagos Islands. Alaska’s Wrangell-St Elias National Park has eight shield volcanoes including Mount Wrangell.

Volcanoes like Mount St. Helens are called composite or stratovolcanoes. Their steep, conical slopes are built by the eruption of viscous lava flows and rock, ash and gas. Japan’s Mount Fuji is another example of a composite volcano.

AP

Watch: World’s largest active volcano erupts in Hawaii for first time in almost 40 years

04:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet, has erupted for the first time in almost 40 years.

Footage shows the sky glowing red as the volcano erupted on Hawaii‘s Big Island.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said that the eruption began at 11:30pm local time on Sunday, 27 November.

Dozens of earthquakes, some of more than 2.5 on the richter scale, were triggered by the eruption.

The last eruption at Mauna Loa occurred in 1984.

Mauno Loa: World’s largest active volcano erupts for first time in almost 40 years

What happens next?

03:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Each eruption since 1843 started at Mauna Loa’s summit. Half the time, the volcano later also began erupting from vents at lower elevations. The other half of the time it only erupted in the summit caldera.

Scientists can’t tell far in advance when and where Mauna Loa will open new vents and erupt.

Vents generally form along the volcano’s rift zone. That’s where the mountain is splitting apart, the rock is cracked and relatively weak and it’s easier for magma to emerge.

An eruption from vents on the southwest rift zone could hit residential communities, coffee farms or coastal villages on the west side of the island. Lava could reach homes in just hours or days.

The west side’s most populous town would be protected from any Mauna Loa eruption by the presence of another active volcano. The broad flanks of that volcano, Hualalai, sit between Mauna Loa’s southwest rift zone and Kailua-Kona and would block any lava heading toward the coastal community.

An eruption from the northeast rift zone could send lava toward the county seat of Hilo or other towns in East Hawaii. It could take lava weeks or months to reach populated areas on this side of the mountain.

Scott Rowland, a geologist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, said there’s no pattern when it comes to where an eruption will occur.

“Just because the last one was on the northeast rift zone does not mean the next one will be down the southwest rift zone,” he said.

AP

Why doesn’t Mauna Loa erupt like is neighbour Kilauea

02:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Kilauea is well-known for a 2018 eruption that destroyed 700 homes and sent rivers of lava spreading across farms and into the ocean. The eruption of Mauna Loa is different.

Mauna Loa’s eruptions differ from Kilauea’s in part because it is taller. It’s greater height gives it steeper slopes, which allow lava to rush down its hillsides faster than Kilauea’s.

It’s enormous size may allow it to store more magma, leading to larger lava flows when an eruption occurs.

Frank Trusdell, research geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, said data indicates that Mauna Loa has a much larger magma reservoir than Kilauea, which may allow it to hold more lava and rest longer between eruptions than Kilauea.

AP

Seven weeks ago: National park closes access to Mauna Loa due to increased seismic activity

01:50 , Oliver O'Connell

In early October, national park authorities closed Mauna Loa’s summit off as a precautionary measure “due to elevated seismic activity”.

Shweta Sharma reported for The Independent at the time.

World’s largest active volcano in Hawaii close due to increased seismic activity

Where is Mauna Loa?

00:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that together make up the Big Island of Hawaii, which is the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It’s not the tallest (that title goes to Mauna Kea) but it’s the largest and makes up about half of the island’s land mass.

It sits immediately north of Kilauea volcano, which is currently erupting from its summit crater. Kilauea is well-known for a 2018 eruption that destroyed 700 homes and sent rivers of lava spreading across farms and into the ocean.

Mauna Loa last erupted 38 years ago. In written history, dating to 1843, it’s erupted 33 times.

The Big Island is mostly rural and is home to cattle ranches, coffee farms and beach resorts. It's about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of Hawaii's most populous island, Oahu, where the state capital Honolulu and beach resort Waikiki are both located.

AP

Southwest Airlines cancels Hilo flights in wake of eruption

Monday 28 November 2022 23:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Southwest Airlines has cancelled at least 10 flights to and from Hilo airport on the Big Island as the eruption of Mauna Loa continues.

The company said in a statement: “The volcanic ash advisory has Southwest adjusting our operation today within Hawaii and we’ll continue reaching to update customers holding reservations on any flights affected by either delays or a cancellation. We have suspended operations in Hilo today, affecting a total 10 interisland departures just on the route between Honolulu and Hilo, and would make further adjustments as necessary.”

A waiver is being offered for customers scheduled to fly to, from or within Hawaii to change their reservation with no changes in fares. The waiver is applicable to bookings Monday and Tuesday.

Aviation officials continue to closely monitor the situation.

One month ago: Hawaii's Big Island gets warning as huge volcano rumbles

Monday 28 November 2022 22:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Authorities warned Hawaii residents to prepare one month ago...

Hawaii officials are warning residents of the Big Island that the world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, is sending signals that it may erupt.

Although an eruption isn’t imminent, scientists are on alert because of a recent spike in earthquakes at the volcano’s summit. Experts say it would take just a few hours for lava to reach homes closest to the volcano, which last erupted in 1984.

Hawaii's Big Island gets warning as huge volcano rumbles

Mauna Loa: What you need to know

Monday 28 November 2022 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that together make up the Big Island of Hawaii, which is the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Mauna Loa, rising 13,679 feet (4,169 meters) above sea level, is the much larger neighbor of Kilauea, which erupted in a residential neighborhood and destroyed 700 homes in 2018. Some of its slopes are much steeper than Kilauea’s, so lava can flow much faster when it erupts.

During a 1950 eruption, the mountain’s lava traveled 15 miles (24 kilometers) to the ocean in fewer than three hours.

Here’s what’s happening at Mauna Loa right now.

What’s happening at Mauna Loa right now?

Eruption shifts to rift zone

Monday 28 November 2022 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The US Geological Survey said that the eruption had migrated to a rift zone — a place where the mountain rock is cracked and relatively weak — making it easier for magma to emerge.

An eruption from the zone could send lava toward the county seat of Hilo or other towns in East Hawaii but it could take the lava weeks or months to reach populated areas.

“We don’t want to try and second-guess the volcano,” Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. “We have to let it actually show us what it’s going to do and then we inform people of what is happening ASAP.”

Hawaii County Civil Defense announced that it had opened shelters because it had reports of people evacuating from along the coast on their own initiative.

The average Mauna Loa eruption is not typically prolonged, lasting a couple of weeks, Mr Hon said.

“Typically, Mauna Loa eruptions start off with the heaviest volume first,” Mr Hon said. “After a few days, it starts to calm down a little bit.”

In pictures: Lava flow in caldera of volcano

Monday 28 November 2022 21:20 , Oliver O'Connell

How many people are in danger?

Monday 28 November 2022 20:57 , Oliver O'Connell

Although there is no immediate danger to communities on Hawaii’s Big Island, officials have warned residents to be ready for the worst.

Many current residents weren’t living there when Mauna Loa last erupted 38 years ago. The US Geological Survey warned the roughly 200,000 people on the Big Island that an eruption “can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.”

The eruption began late Sunday night following a series of fairly large earthquakes, said Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

There’s been a surge of development on the Big Island in recent decades — its population has more than doubled, from 92,000 in 1980.

Most of the people on the island live in the city of Kailua-Kona to the west of the volcano, which has about 23,000 people, and Hilo to the east, with about 45,000. Officials were most worried about several subdivisions about 30 miles to the south of the volcano, which are home to about 5,000 people.

AP

Stunning pictures of eruption at sunrise

Monday 28 November 2022 20:37 , Oliver O'Connell

Twitter users have posted stunning pictures of the eruption at sunrise on Monday morning.

Residents encouraged to know their inundation zone and plan ahead

Monday 28 November 2022 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Hawaii County is encouraging residents to check an interactive map of potential lava inundation zones that could be impacted as the eruption progresses from vents upslope.

A further map helps residents identify their property’s hazard zone. These zones are used to understand the long-term likelihood of lava flow coverage and are numbered between one and nine. Zone 1 is the most hazardous and it includes summit and rift zone areas where eruptions have occurred repeatedly.

Dramatic photos of the lava flows

Monday 28 November 2022 19:40 , Oliver O'Connell

There are dramatic new photos of the lava flows out of the northeast rift zone of Mauna Loa from a Civil Air Patrol flight. So far, the lava does not pose a threat to residents.

Hawaii transport agency issues guidance to air travellers

Monday 28 November 2022 19:25 , Oliver O'Connell

The Hawaii Department of Transportation has issued guidance to air passengers in light of the eruption of Mauna Loa as the situation develops.

Hawaii Island Passengers with flights to Hilo International Airport (ITO) or the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) should check with their airline prior to heading to the airport due to the volcanic activity at Mauna Loa.

What we know so far about the eruption of the world’s largest active volcano

Monday 28 November 2022 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

The eruption of Mauna Loa, the volcano’s first in nearly four decades, has triggered dozens of earthquakes of more than 2.5 magnitude on the richter scale, one of them clocking in at 4.2.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the eruption began at approximately 1.30pm Hawaii time on Sunday night.

Here’s what we know so far:

World’s largest active volcano erupts

Civil defence shelters opened as precaution

Monday 28 November 2022 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

While there is no threat to downslope communities yet, an early morning update from the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency states that as the eruption of Mauna Loa has migrated from the summit to the Northeast Rift Zone, two shelters are opening as a precautionary measure.

View of eruption at 715am local time

Monday 28 November 2022 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell

USGS Volcanoes notes that the eruptions have shifted into a different rift zone.

The agency notes that the early stages of an eruption of Mauna Loa can be very dynamic.

How are volcanic eruptions impacted by climate change?

Monday 28 November 2022 17:55 , Oliver O'Connell

While the eruption of Mauna Loa is a rare occurrence, the climate crisis could lead to more volcanic activity, some scientists say.

The greenhouse gas emissions heating the planet are melting glaciers and in turn destabilizing mountains, creating conditions for volcanic eruptions that were previously restrained.

“Imagine the ice like some sort of protective layer – when the ice melts away, the mountain is free to collapse,” Gioachino Roberti, a PhD student researching volcanic activity at the University of Clermont Auvergne, previously told The Independent. “If your mountain is a volcano you have another problem. Volcanoes are a pressurised system and if you remove pressure by ice melting and landslide, you have a problem.”

Louise Boyles reports.

How does climate change impact volcanic eruptions?

‘Slow buildup’ to eruption was recognised by authorities

Monday 28 November 2022 17:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Asked whether there were signs that the eruption was coming, the USGS Volcanoes Twitter account replied: “Activity has definitely been elevated for months - enough that HVO started holding community meetings in potentially impacted areas to ensure that residents knew the hazards and what to expect. Onsets are always very rapid at Mauna Loa, but the slow buildup was recognized.”

Videos show first Mauna Loa eruption in 38 years

Monday 28 November 2022 16:55 , Gustaf Kilander

Ahead of eruption, Hawaii resident says lower-income areas would be affected most

Monday 28 November 2022 16:35 , Gustaf Kilander

Last month, before the Mauna Loa eruption, Ocean View, Hawaii resident Joel William Rogers told Newsweek that lower-income areas would be the most affected by a possible eruption.

“Often my friends from the mainland who follow the news get the idea that it’s a tiny island and everyone will be covered by lava or something dramatic like a Hollywood film. In reality, all the recent lava flows have been close to a hundred miles from where I live. I was a part of a lava evacuation team during the 2014 [KÄ«lauea] eruptions in Puna, Hawaii. That was quite dramatic to have lava taking out houses. Again, all of that was about a three-hour drive from my home,” Mr Rogers told the magazine in October. “I am grateful that national news media seems to notice and talk about it when we have natural disasters like lava, tsunamis or hurricanes here in Hawaii. I know many parts of the world that go unmentioned despite much greater suffering.”

Photos show Mauna Loa eruption

Monday 28 November 2022 16:15 , Gustaf Kilander

Residents shared concerns weeks before eruption

Monday 28 November 2022 15:55 , Gustaf Kilander

Hawaii residents were worried about a possible eruption weeks before it happened.

“We are concerned. We haven’t thought too much about the volcano, even in 2018 when an [KÄ«lauea] eruption happened on the east side of the island. We knew it would not touch our homes,” resident Laura Roberts told Newsweek last month.

“Here in Ocean View, [Mauna Loa’s] lava could reach the ocean in less than three hours and our homes faster than that. We are on the rift zone so fissures could open. It’s a weird feeling to know that there is a possibility of losing your home. It also makes us feel like we should not travel because what if something happens and we can’t evacuate our important things and animals,” she added at the time.

Lava reached sea in under three hours during 1950 eruption

Monday 28 November 2022 15:35 , Gustaf Kilander

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes making up the Big Island of Hawaii – the island furthest to the south in the Hawaiian archipelago.

The volcano reaches 13,679 feet (4,169m) over the sea and sites beside the smaller Kilauea volcano.

Kilauea erupted in 2018, destroying 700 homes, according to the Associated Press.

Some of the slopes on Mauna Loa are steeper than those of Kilauea, meaning that lava can travel faster.

When it erupted in 1950, the lava went 15 miles (24km), hitting the ocean in under three hours.

Videos and photos show red glow from volcano eruption

Monday 28 November 2022 15:15 , Gustaf Kilander

NWS warn people with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors

Monday 28 November 2022 14:55 , Gustaf Kilander

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has warned those with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors.

“People with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors to avoid inhaling the ash particles and anyone outside should cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth,” the service said. “Possible harm to crops and animals. Minor equipment and infrastructure damage. Reduced visibility. Widespread clean-up may be necessary.”

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said that “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”.

“If the eruption remains in Moku’āweoweo, lava flows will most likely be confined within the caldera walls,” the observatory said. “However, if the eruptive vents migrate outside its walls, lava flows may move rapidly downslope.”

Hawaii Tourism Authority says no flights affected so far amid ashfall alert

Monday 28 November 2022 14:35 , Megan Sheets

In an update Monday morning, the Hawaii Tourism Authority said that no flights have been affected thus far by the Mauna Loa eruption that began hours earlier.

“We are closely monitoring the eruption of Mokuʻāweoweo, which is not currently threatening communities downhill or affecting flights to the Island of HawaiÊ»i,” the Twitter update read.

However, the organisation later reshared a warning from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency about ashfall.

“Up to a quarter-inch of ash is expected around and downwind of Mauna Loa,” it read. “People with breathing difficulties should stay indoors, and cover nose/mouth with cloth or a mask.”

Below is a map of where the eruption is taking place:

Mauna Loa is home to critical global CO2 monitoring site

Monday 28 November 2022 14:15 , Louise Boyle

On the north flank of the Mauna Loa Volcano sits the observatory holding the longest record of carbon dioxide (CO2) measurement in the atmosphere.

The measurements, started in 1958 by Charles David Keeling, a scientist with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facility, have been integral to the world’s understanding of the climate crisis.

The Mauna Loa Observatory is 11,135 feet above sea level making it an ideal location for gathering the data because of its remoteness from people and vegetation, and relatively undisturbed air.

CO2 is being pumped into the atmosphere mainly from burning fossil fuels. This heating of the planet is leading to increases in sea level rise and more extreme impacts like wildfires, floods and storms.

The last measurement of global daily CO2 was 418.05 parts per million (ppm) on 27th November, 2022 - and it continues to rise.

PPM refers to how many parts of carbon dioxide there are in one million parts of air. Climate scientists have suggested that around 350ppm would be a safe level of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Warnings issued for weeks prior to eruption

Monday 28 November 2022 13:55 , Megan Sheets

Warnings began to be issued part way through September when geologists began to record an uptick in the number of earthquakes trembling below the surface of Mauna Loa.

For a typical day in mid-September, the site was experiencing approximately 20 quakes a day, but that number shifted up to 40 by the beginning of October.

In response to this shift in seismic activity, the US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updated its advisory level from green to yellow out of precaution for the volcano’s “heightened unrest”.

In this four-tier advisory system, green is the lowest and equates to normal activity; yellow intimates that the “volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background activity”; orange is watch and means that there is “escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption”; and red means an eruption is “imminent, underway, or suspected”.

In October, the summit of Mauna Loa was closed to tourists in light of the heightened activity out of what the NPS called “a precautionary measure”.

Thermal image shows lava streaming from caldera fissure

Monday 28 November 2022 13:35 , Megan Sheets

The USGS released a thermal image that shows lava streaming from a long fissure in Mauna Loa’s caldera.

The photo was accompanied by a summary statement from the agency:

“At approximately 11:30 p.m. HST this evening, November 27, an eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities. Winds may carry volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele’s hair downwind.

“Residents at risk from Mauna Loa lava flows should review preparedness and refer to Hawai‘i County Civil Defense information for further guidance.

“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.

“If the eruption remains in Moku‘āweoweo, lava flows will most likely be confined within the caldera walls. However, if the eruptive vents migrate outside its walls, lava flows may move rapidly downslope.

“HVO is in close consultation with emergency management partners and will be monitoring the volcano closely to provide further updates on activity. As soon as possible, HVO will conduct aerial reconnaissance to better describe the eruption and assess hazards.”