Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano is erupting

Are you familiar with the fact that the Big Island of the world-famous tourist destination Hawaii is made up of five volcanoes? In fact, one of them is Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, that has recently started erupting, after a long hiatus of nearly four decades (last erupted in 1984).  

As you can imagine, an active volcanic eruption leads to discharge of volcanic ash and debris to the surrounding areas, and this time too, it’s no different. Sources cite that the eruption originated right at the summit caldera of the volcano, in the middle of the Big Island. In case you are wondering what a summit caldera is, it refers to the crater formed on pre-existing volcanoes and are full of magma, ready to erupt, right underneath the peak.  

According to the reports of US Geological Survey (USGS) and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, so far, the flow of lava has been contained within the summit area and not really endangering the local communities. However, the US government has still opened shelters nearby (near Kailua-Kona and Pahala) as lava flows are often unpredictable and can march in suddenly, at any time of the day, especially ripping apart the rift zone (when mountain splits due to volcanic activity and enables easy spitting out of magma). In fact, the volcanic eruption is very well visible from the Kona region (located 30 miles away from Mauna Loa), thus prompting people who live along the South Kona coast to self-evacuate. As of now, it’s hard to predict how long the volcanic will erupt or how far the lava will travel. So far, up to a quarter inch of ash has accumulated in the nearby locality. 

What’s interesting is that, the eruption of Mauna Loa was part of the scientists forecast, considering its area had been hit with many earthquakes in the recent times.  

For those unaware, Mauna Loa stands at an elevation of 13,679 feet above the sea level. If literally translated, it means “Long Volcano.” Experts suggest that this volcano had been active for more than 700,000 years, but emerged above sea level only 400,000 years back. It’s a major contributor to the Pacific Ring of Fire.  

During its 1950 eruption, the silica-poor, fluid and non-explosive lava had traversed a distance of 15 miles into the ocean, in less than three hours, thus revealing its strength. In the recent times (in 2018), Mauna Loa’s neighbouring volcano Kilauea had erupted and wrecked 700 homes. Interestingly, the slopes of Mauna Loa are much steeper than Kilauea’s, meaning its lava can flow much faster. Alarming, right? 

Mauna Loa are much steeper than Kilauea’s, meaning its lava can flow much faster. Alarming, right?