Eruption on Sunday at Mauna Loa. Image - Reuters
Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano erupted at around 11.30 pm local time on Sunday, November 28th. Said to be the world's largest volcano, she erupted for the first time since 1984.
Lava is flowing from the eruption, but is contained within the summit, and does not threaten any of the people living on the lower slopes - at the moment. However, drifting gas and fine ash may become an issue over the coming days. As a precaution, Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency has opened two shelters on the island, but no evacuation orders have yet been considered.
Mauna Loa rises 13,679 feet (4,169 meters) above the Pacific Ocean, and is 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.
Some of the best resources I have come across have been produced by American geology Professor, Shawn Willsey. His You Tube channel is well worth checking out. His first presentation gives a load of excellent background information about Hawaii and hot spots, before focusing in on Mauna Loa itself. The second presentation is an update, including some dramatic images and maps from this weekend's eruption.
The eruption was of particular interest to me, as I visited Big Island in Hawaii a number of years back. I was able to climb Mauna Loa - as well as the two other main volcanoes on the island, Kilauea and Mauna Kea. After mountain biking down Kilauea, I took a trip over the lava flows in a helicopter. Ascending Mauna Kea, I visited the observatory and telescopes at just under 14,000 feet - where the effects of high altitude were quite debilitating.
Some nice memories:
Kilauea lava blocking road. Image - Allison Berry
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Kilauea lava flows from helicopter. Image - Paul Berry
Image - Allison Berry
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