AreaRead the video transcript expand here
Mauna Loa in Hawaii is erupting for the first time in almost 40 years.
The 4169 meter high volcano has been spewing lava and ash into the air since Sunday evening – there are now more and more spectacular aerial photos of the eruption.
That Mauna Loa erupts is not particularly surprising for volcanologists.
It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
But:
Erik Klemett, Volcanologist, Denison University Ohio
“I don't think it was expected to happen at this point.
Although there were indications that something was changing based on some of the earthquakes measured under the volcano.”
Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano in the world, measured from the ocean floor to the summit.
Here time-lapse footage of the current eruption.
Located on the largest island in the US state of Hawaii, the giant is one of five volcanoes that formed the island chain.
Erik Klemett, Volcanologist, Denison University Ohio
“These volcanoes are fed by what is called a mantle plume, an area of hot rock beneath the volcano that extends thousands of kilometers into the Earth.
And this hot material rises toward the surface as solid, hot rock.
And it melts as it nears the surface, so maybe ten, 15 kilometers below the surface.”
Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984 - at that time a 25-kilometer-long lava flow flowed close to the city of Hilo.
So far, there is no danger of lava flows destroying residential areas.
However, one of the streams is moving toward a highway.
Erik Klemett, Volcanologist, Denison University Ohio
“Fortunately they move slowly so you probably won't get caught and can walk away.
But everything else in their path, houses, roads and trees, will be buried underneath and burned.
You are relentless.
There is also some ash hazard.
I know that some airlines have postponed or canceled flights because of the ash hazard because they don't want the ash getting into the engines.
It's a nasty mix."
The current eruption ends the longest documented dormant phase of the volcano.
Even if no one is in acute danger, geologists are closely monitoring developments.
Around 200,000 residents in the area were warned that such an outbreak was "very dynamic" and could change quickly.
