Spectacular view of lava spewing as Hawaii’s Mauna Loa erupts
Here’s a spectacular view of lava spewing as Hawaii’s Mauna Loa erupted for the first time since 1984.
Hawaii’s Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth, with a summit more than 10 miles above its base, according to the US Geological Survey.
Located within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Loa makes up more than half of the Big Island, standing at 13,681 feet above sea level, according to the National Park.
How big is Mauna Loa?
About 30,000 feet of Mauna Loa starts from the bottom of the sea, about 1,000 feet higher than Mount Everest, the highest mountain on the planet above sea level.
WHAT ARE THE 4 CLASSIC TYPES OF VOLCANOES?
Hawaii’s Mauna Kea volcano is over 33,500 feet. However, Mauna Loa is larger in size, according to the USGS.
The map shows the locations of Mauna Loa, along with nearby sister volcano Kilauea. (FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Mauna Loa is so large that the ocean floor is covered by another 5 miles from the weight of the volcano.
How many times has Mauna Loa erupted?
Including the most recent eruption in November 2022, Mauna Loa has erupted 34 times since its first documented eruption in 1843, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
HILO, HAWAII – DECEMBER 04: In aerial view, lava erupts from the fissure of Mauna Loa Volcano during its eruption on December 05, 2022 in Hilo, Hawaii. For the first time in almost 40 years, the Mauna Loa volcano, the world’s largest active volcano, erupted. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
(Justin Sullivan)
Lava fissures flow from the north flank of Mauna Loa Volcano on December 5, 2022 in Hilo, Hawaii. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the world’s largest active volcano erupted prompting an emergency response on the Big Island. (Photo by Andrew Richard Hara/Getty Images)
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Mauna Loa Volcano is seen from the air near Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on December 12, 2022. – The US Geological Survey announced on December 11 that Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, began erupting last November 28, currently there is a great reduction in lava output and volcanic gas emissions with the main flow completely inactive.
(Robyn BECK/AFP)
In an aerial view, a helicopter flies by as lava fissures flow from the north flank of Mauna Loa Volcano on December 7, 2022 in Hilo, Hawaii. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the world’s largest active volcano erupted prompting an emergency response on the Big Island. (Photo by Andrew Richard Hara/Getty Images)
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In an aerial view, lava continues to erupt from the Mauna Loa volcano on December 7, 2022 in Hawaii.
(Andrew Richard Hara)
The eruption of Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
(Andrew Richard Hara)
In an aerial view, lava fissures flow from the north flank of Mauna Loa Volcano on December 7, 2022 in Hilo, Hawaii. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the world’s largest active volcano erupted prompting an emergency response on the Big Island. (Photo by Andrew Richard Hara/Getty Images)
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An aerial photo taken on December 3, 2022 of Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone where eruptions continue. (Photo: Hawaii Civil Air Patrol/USGS)
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People stand on the side of the road to photograph the eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano on December 04, 2022 near Hilo, Hawaii. For the first time in almost 40 years, the Mauna Loa volcano, the world’s largest active volcano, erupted. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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An image showing lava from an active fissure at Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii spewing blebs of liquid rock into the air.
(@USGSVolcanoes/Twitter)
A view from Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, began to erupt overnight, prompting authorities to open shelters “as a precaution ” on November 29, 2022 in Hawaii, United States.
(United States Geological Survey)
DOES THE OPENING OF ONE VOLCANO CAUSE ANOTHER VOLCANO?
The 12-day eruption in 2022 marks the first since 1984.
About two months before its final eruption, Mauna Loa began to show increased seismic activity, one of the signs geologists look for when an eruption is imminent.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE A VOLCANO Erupts?
Since its 2022 eruption, Mauna Loa has been mostly quiet, according to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, but remained active with an increase in seismic activity in October.
What type of volcano is Mauna Loa?
Just 20 miles from Mauna Loa, Kīlauea is Hawaii’s second largest active volcano and most recently erupted in September.
Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are classic examples of shield volcanoes and are among the most active in the world.
This type of volcano is usually the largest on Earth and covers a wide area of land.
Volcanologists say that the great width of these volcanoes is the result of thin lava flows. Bursts are not considered explosions and usually rank low in the VEI. Threats from landslides and volcanic smoke are often significant for these types of volcanoes.
