Mauna Loa volcano erupts for first time in 38 years

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth, has erupted for the first time in nearly four decades, prompting local officials to issue ash-fall advisories and open emergency shelters. The volcano began erupting about 11:30pm on Sunday (local time), blanketing the sky with ash. Officials have not issued evacuation orders and air traffic remains unaffected. So far, the lava is contained near the summit, though officials warned that could change. Mauna Loa, rising 4km above sea level, is the largest of five volcanoes that make up Hawaii’s Big Island.