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Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Volcano Erupts for First Time in 40 Years

Published: November 29, 2022
A helicopter cockpit aerial view of lava spewing out during Mauna Loa's eruption in Hawaii on November 28, 2022 is still in this still image taken from a social media video. (Image: Samantha Hansen/Safari Helicopters via REUTERS)

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa — the world’s largest active volcano — began erupting on Sunday, Nov. 27 for the first time since 1984, ending its longest quiet period in recorded history.

The night sky above Hawaii’s largest island glowed a hellish red as bright, hot lava sprang forth at the volcano’s summit at around 11:30 p.m. local time on Sunday.

Lava is seen at Mauna Loa’s summit region during an eruption as viewed by a remote camera of the U.S. Geological Survey in Hawaii, U.S. on November 27, 2022. (Image: USGS/Handout via REUTERS)

The lava is contained within the summit and does not threaten Hawaiians living downslope for now, the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) said.

The service warned residents on Monday that volcanic gases and fine ash may drift their way.

Mauna Loa rises 13,679 feet (4,169 meters) above the Pacific Ocean, part of the chain of volcanoes that formed the islands of Hawaii. It last erupted in March and April of 1984, sending a flow of lava within 5 miles (8.05 km) of Hilo, the island’s largest city.

Lava is seen at Mauna Loa’s summit region during an eruption as viewed by a remote camera of the U.S. Geological Survey in Hawaii, U.S. on November 28, 2022. (Image: USGS/Handout via REUTERS)

Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency said it had opened two shelters on the island as a precaution but also emphasized that there are no signs that lava will threaten populated areas and that it had not issued any evacuation orders.

About half of all recorded eruptions of Mauna Loa had been confined to the summit, the agency said.

By Reuters. (Reporting by Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Toby Chopra and Lisa Shumaker)