Mauna Loa Erupts For the First Time Since 1984

Mauna Loa started erupting again last night at approximately 11:30pm HST at the summit caldera of Mauna Loa inside Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This marks the first eruption from Mauna Loa in 38 years, or since 1984. The erupting vents are all within the summit area, even though some of the lava flows can are visible to the downslope residents in Kona. Here are the latest few updates from USGS: UPDATE: Nov 28, 2022 2:43 HST Mauna Loa summit eruption continues. All vents remain restricted to the summit area. However, lava flows in the summit region are visible from Kona. There is currently no indication of any migration of the eruption into a rift zone.The Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Code for Mauna Loa remains at WARNING/RED. HVO is continuing to monitor conditions carefully and will issue additional notices as needed. (First information release) 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 (the summit caldera), 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. https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/.../DOI-USGS-HVO-2022-11-28T01... More information will follow shortly as HVO continues to assess the situation. --------------------------- No school closures at this point. No road closures at this point. Early Monday morning, Phil and Dane talked live with Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-In-Charge Ken Hon to discuss the new summit eruption of Maunaloa volcano within its first few hours. You can watch that conversation here: https://youtu.be/KPW8PdsCx6M More updates to come! Lava glow photos by John Kapono Carter