How the largest volcano in the world erupts: photos and videos from the scene

On Sunday, November 27, 2022, around 23:30 local time (09:30 GMT on Monday) Mauna Loa volcano

began to erupt.The last time this happened was in 1984. There weren't many people living on the Big Island of Hawaii back then. This time, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) warned approximately 200,000 people about the danger. According to the report, the eruption "can be very dynamic, and the location and progress of lava flows can change rapidly."

The eruption of Mauna Loa, as seen from Waikoloa at approximately 1:25 local time (HST). 
The eruption comes from the top of the volcano, although lava has overflowed the caldera. USGS

Hawaiian Volcano ObservatoryThe US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has raised its warning level for volcanic activity from Advisory to the highest level of Warning.

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Lava fountains along a fissure in the northeast rift zone of Mauna Loa at approximately 9:30 a.m. PST on November 28, 2022. K. Lynn/USGS&nbsp;

According to the statement, HVO has also increased itsaviation threat from "yellow" to "red" to highlight the presence of airborne gases, ash particles and volcanic glass fibers - Pele's hair. It is a filamentous form of lava in the form of volcanic fiberglass filaments. They are formed by stretching molten basalt fountains, flows, lava falls and splashes of lava, which quickly cools in the air in the wind.

Although the houses are not currently in danger, a gas plume from erupting fissure fountains and lava flows is visible.

Aerial photos taken at 7:15 local time (HST) from a Civil Air Patrol flight.&nbsp;Mauna Loa erupts in the northeast rift zone. Natalie Dehlin/USGS

Since&nbsp;1843&nbsp;when the firstA well-documented historical eruption of Mauna Loa, the volcano has erupted 33 times. It rises 4&nbsp;169m above the Pacific Ocean and is part of the volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian Islands. According to the US National Park Service, it makes up 51% of the island of the Big Island of Hawaii.

When it erupted in March and April 1984, the eruption lasted 22 days and the lava flow spread within 5 miles of Hilo, the island's largest city, Reuters reported.


Thermal images of the volcano. Credit: USGS

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Cover: Webcam image of the summit of Mauna Loa taken at 11:46 pm PST. USGS webcam&nbsp;