Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano erupts first time in more than three decades


By Alfred Acenas and Charmaine Cirera-Raquel
Eagle News Service

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – For the first time since 1984, Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, began erupting at approximately 11:30 p.m. Hawaii Time on Sunday, November 27.

According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), as of 6:30 a.m. Monday, lava from the Mokuʻāweoweo caldera has begun flowing out of the summit and towards the Northeast Rift Zone where fissures have been feeding several lava flows.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the glow from the lava in the early morning was visible from northern towns like Waikoloa, about 55 miles (88.6 kilometers) away.

Eyewitnesses from northern Big Island towns like Waikoloa were able to capture the glow of lava activity at Mauna Loa, about 55 miles (88.6 kilometers) to the southeast. (Photo by Claire Raquel-Namnama)

As of this report, the lava flows do not pose a threat to nearby communities. However as a precaution, Hawaii Island County and the Hawaii Red Cross have opened two temporary shelters at Kailua-Kona and Pahala. As of 9 a.m. Monday, about a hundred people have voluntarily left their homes and taken up temporary refuge at the said facilities.

“Nobody is in danger at this time,” assured Hawaii Island County Mayor Mitch Roth. “We’re not evacuating anybody.”

Earlier today, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an Ashfall Advisory for all of Big Island and the surrounding waters. Even though the advisory has since been cancelled, authorities continue to remind everyone to be mindful of the potential for low-air quality air due to vog (a mixture of volcanic ash and fog). Those with respiratory illness or sensitivities should take additional self-care and seek medical help as needed.

Mauna Loa began displaying signs of heightened unrest in mid-September with small-magnitude earthquakes (3.0 or lower) at rates ranging between 10 and 50 per day.

At 13,679 feet (4,170 meters), Mauna Loa is the Aloha State’s second-highest peak, covering most of the southern half of Big Island.

(FILE) A marker for visitors to know more about Mauna Loa volcano. (Photo by Des Acenas)

Since its first well-documented eruption in 1843, the volcano has erupted 33 times with intervals between eruptions ranging from months to decades. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984.

Past eruptions have produced voluminous, fast-moving lava flows that could impact communities on the east and west sides of the island.

Mauna Loa’s Mokuʻāweoweo caldera, roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Kilauea volcano, is regarded as one of the most active in the world.

(Eagle News Service)