Hawaiian volcano Mauna Loa spewed jets of lava up to 200 feet high, creating rivers of molten rock, U.S. geologists reported Tuesday.
Three fissures opened in the world’s largest active volcano, which erupted Sunday night for the first time in nearly 40 years. Huge clouds of steam and smoke billowed from the volcano that occupies half of the archipelago’s Big Island.
“The tallest jets reach between 100 and 200 feet, but many are several feet tall,” the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported Monday.
“There is a cloud of gas visible from the fountains and lava flows from the erupting fissures, and it is pushed mainly to the northwest,” the experts said.
Video showing cracks erupting in the northeastern Rift Zone of #MaunaLoa this morning. Fissure 3 fountains were measured up to 25 m in height. More spectacular photos and videos available on the Mauna Loa website. https://t.co/GoYn4UOT4W #MaunaLoa is erupting pic.twitter.com/DTL70XJZuI
– USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) November 29, 2022
Geologists say there is currently no risk to people and property in the area affected by the eruption. “The lava flows from the two highest canyons are held back about 10 kilometers from Saddle Road [a principal estrada]”. The lava coming out of the third canyon, at about 3,000 meters, was also far from the road.
However, authorities warn that Mauna Loa is a dynamic volcano and have reported a fourth fissure in recent hours. Indicate that there may be additional cracks.
Mauna Loa had been building pressure for years, according to the USGS, which reported that the eruption was visible from a location on the west coast of the archipelago’s main island, about 72 kilometers away.
Another incredible post from the Mauna Loa eruption by our friend Andrew Richard Hara, follow him on IG @andrewrichardhara
Follow @USGS Volcanoes for the most up-to-date info & @Citizen ProtectionHI @Hawaii_EMA if you have one #Hawaii resident prepares.#HawaiiScience #maunaloa pic.twitter.com/LAAsvL6ye9
– HawaiiScienceMuseum (@HawaiiScience) November 29, 2022
While the lava still poses no threat to the population, experts warn that the winds could carry volcanic gases, fine ash and basalt fiberglass known as Pele hair, an allusion to the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire. Thin strands of volcanic glass can grow up to two meters long and are formed when lava cools rapidly in the air. They can be quite sharp and are a potential hazard for causing eye and skin injuries.
Hawaiian authorities have not issued an evacuation order, although they have closed off the area around the summit and several roads in the area. They also opened two shelters as a precaution.
Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on Earth by volume and its name means “Big Mountain”. It occupies half of the Big Island and is larger than all of Hawaii’s other islands combined.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to six active volcanoes. Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since 1843, according to the USGS. The most recent eruption, in 1984, lasted 22 days and produced lava flows that reached about seven kilometers from Hilo, a city currently home to about 44,000 people.
Kilauea, a volcano on Mauna Loa’s southeastern flank, erupted almost continuously between 1983 and 2019, and a minor eruption has been underway for several months.
Source: DN
