Hawaii volcano begins to erupt

HAWAII’S Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, has started to erupt, prompting volcanic ash and debris to fall nearby.

The eruption began late on Sunday night in the summit caldera of the volcano on Big Island, the United States Geological Survey said yesterday. It added that lava flows were contained within the summit area and were not threatening nearby communities. Scientists had been on alert because of earthquakes at the summit of the volcano, which last erupted in 1984.