World’s largest volcano erupts for first time since 1984
The world’s largest active volcano burst into life for the first time in 40 years, spewing lava and hot ash in a spectacular display of nature’s fury by Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
Rivers of molten rock could be seen high up on the volcano, venting huge clouds of steam and smoke at the summit on Big Island, and sparking warnings the situation could change rapidly.
Pressure has been building at Mauna Loa for years, according to the United States Geological Survey, which reported the eruption could be seen from 72km away, in the town of Kona on the west coast of Hawaii’s main island.
The eruption, which began shortly before midnight on Sunday, was initially contained within the caldera – the concave area at the top of the volcano – but vulcanologists said on Monday lava was now escaping from cracks in its side.
“The eruption of Mauna Loa has migrated from the summit to the Northeast Rift Zone where fissures are feeding several lava flows,” the USGS said on its website.
The agency said there was currently no threat to people living below the eruption zone, but warned that the volcano was volatile.
“Based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa rift zone eruption can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.”
Authorities in Hawaii have not issued any evacuation orders, although the summit area and several roads in the region were closed, and two shelters have been opened as a precaution.
Vulcanologist Robin George Andrews said the eruption had originally been contained, but was now spreading.
“Oof. Lava is now erupting from fresh vents on the slopes along Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone, or NERZ. That brings a new hazardous dimension to the eruption,” he
wrote on Twitter.
“The fact that it is a hazardous mountain that hasn’t erupted since 1984 – the longest eruptive pause in its recorded history – is why we should all keep an eye on it.”