For the first time in nearly forty years, the largest active volcano in the world, Mauna Loa, located in Hawaii, has erupted.
The phenomenon began Sunday evening at 11:30 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. this Monday in Paris), announced in an alert message the American Institute of Geophysics (USGS).
“Currently, the lava flows are contained at the summit and do not threaten populations downstream,” he first clarified.
Mauna Loa began to erupt at 11:30 PM HST on Sunday.
The eruption is currently confined to the summit, and there is no indication that magma is moving into either rift zone.
HVO is closely monitoring.
Follow @USGSVolcanoes for updates.
Find webcams here: https://t.co/PCmuqZqpcB pic.twitter.com/dv6vJBsASo
— USGS (@USGS) November 28, 2022
On Monday morning, in response to a photo posted on Twitter that appeared to show lava, the USGS said it "appears that lava may be escaping from the caldera."
“There is no indication of any progress of the eruption into a rift zone,” which allows magma to travel more easily underground, the institute added Monday.
These photographs were taken by Ken Hon, Scientist in Charge of HVO from Waikoloa at about 1:27am.
#MaunaLoa #MaunaLoaErupts
Lava is still erupting from the summit & is overflowing from the caldera.
No threats to populated areas currently.
https://t.co/yLBkg85jMa pic.twitter.com/vhScY3WGjR
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) November 28, 2022
"The first phases of a Mauna Loa eruption can evolve quickly and the location and progress of lava flows can change quickly," warned the Institute in its first note on Sunday.
The winds could carry "volcanic gas and Pele's hair," volcanic glass fibers, the USGS said.
Last eruption in 1984
The US Weather Service (NWS) has warned that volcanic ash could accumulate around the volcano.
Mauna Loa, which rises to 4,169 m, is located on the island of Hawaii, the largest of this Pacific archipelago.
The volcano has erupted 33 times since 1843. Its last was in 1984, and lasted 22 days.