The Mauna Loa volcano erupted late Sunday night on the Big Island of Hawaii, prompting ashfall advisories and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to raise the alert levels. This is the first eruption of the world’s largest active volcano since 1984.
New video from the Mauna Loa eruption is incredibly detailed.
In the first part of this video – these lava fountains are 148 feet tall! In the second part of the video you'll hear clinking, this is 'A'a lava, creating flows where it cools into cinder blocks called clinkers! pic.twitter.com/rtGzP6yLRb— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) November 30, 2022
The USGS has raised the Volcanic Alert Level to “Warning” meaning a hazardous eruption is ongoing or imminent. Ashfall is likely downwind of the volcano and in addition to the Alert Level there is also an aviation alert of RED, meaning there is significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. There may be impacts to aviation as a result.
According to USGS, “Eruption has moved to Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone. Local hazards include lava flows, ash and tephra fall, and heavy vog.” Vog is volcanic smog.
For perspective, this is occurring on Hawaii’s largest island, named Hawaii and also known as “The Big Island”.
The Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii is erupting for the first time since 1984. The USGS has issued a "warning" meaning "Hazardous eruption is imminent, underway, or suspected". An ashfall advisory is in effect downwind of the volcano. pic.twitter.com/PB65p5stnO
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) November 28, 2022
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