Earthquake Shakes World's Largest Active Volcano: Could the Seismic Event Trigger Tsunamis and Volcanic Eruption?

On the Big Island of Hawaii, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit this afternoon, shaking the world's biggest active volcano, Mauna Loa. The quake, which hit at 4:32 p.m. HT / 10:32 p.m. ET at a depth of more than 20 miles, was upgraded from a magnitude 4.1 to a magnitude 4.5 by the USGS. The quake, which was the biggest in the area in over a month and one of the strongest in the previous 12 months, was felt throughout the Big Island.

While an eruption of Mauna Loa is not imminent, now is the time to reassess personal eruption preparations, according to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) experts with the USGS. Having an eruption strategy in place ahead of time is similar to planning for hurricane season."

Mauna Loa eruptions create large, fast-moving lava flows that affect towns on the Big Island's east and west flanks, from Kona to Hilo. Seven Mauna Loa lava flows have threatened Hilo in eastern Hawaii since the 1850s. In addition, Mauna Loa lava flows have reached the coast on the island's south and west flanks eight times.

According to the USGS, while Mauna Loa is not currently erupting, rates of deformation and seismicity remain high beyond long-term background levels. Slow, long-term summit inflation, compatible with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system, has been seen by GPS data. The modest uptick in the inflation rate that began in January has continued.

The USGS advises people in Hawaii to create a personal reaction plan, pack a "go bag," and identify what they would do in the case of an eruption at different times of the day or week since another eruption on Mauna Loa is unavoidable.

While scientists are confident that Mauna Loa will erupt again, they are unsure when or where the lava will flow. Puako and Waikoloa Beach on the northwest coast, Kailua-Kona and Captain Cook on the west coast, Milolii and Ocean View on the southwest coast, and Hilo on the east coast have all been devastated by previous floods. The USGS is urging residents all around the island to prepare for the likelihood of volcanic activity, citing the wide variety of consequences seen in previous eruptions. For example, there might be toxic volcanic gasses and a volcanic haze known as vog, as well as fallout of volcanic debris such as ash or volcanic glass, in addition to the dangers of fast-moving lava flows.

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