A shower of ash and river of lava started spewing from the world’s largest active volcano late Sunday, as the towering peak of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in almost four decades and disrupted flights, officials said Monday.
The 13,000 foot volcano erupted at 11:30 p.m. local time Sunday, in what was its first eruption since 1984, according to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. It triggered an all hands on deck emergency response, but has not caused any evacuations.
“Nobody is in danger at this time,” Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth said, according to Hawaii News Now. “We’re not evacuating anybody.”
Southwest Airlines cancelled all flights in and out of Hilo International Airport Monday on Hawaii’s Big Island, but Hawaiian Airlines kept flights running.
As the eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the US Geological Survey raised the alert level for the volcano from “advisory” to a “warning.”
“At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities,” the USGS said. “
Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano is seen in images taken Oct. 28, 2022. USGS
Mauna Loa is now active, photos show. USGS“Winds may carry volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele’s hair downwind.”
The USGS warned that the early stages of the eruption could be “very dynamic and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.”
“If the eruption remains in Moku‘āweoweo, lava flows will most likely be confined within the caldera walls,” the statement said. However, if the eruption spreads outside the walls of Mauna Loa’s summit caldera, “lava flows may move rapidly downslope.”
Residents at risk from Mauna Loa were warned to review preparedness guides and refer to Hawai’i County Civil Defense information for any further guidance.
No injuries have been reported as of Monday morning local time.
Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said that “typically, Mauna Loa eruptions start off with the heaviest volume first.
“After a few days, it starts to calm down a little bit,” he said.
During a 1950 eruption, lava from the volcano traveled 15 miles to the ocean in less than three hours.
With Post wires.
