Sunrise Massive Glow from Mauna Loa Caldera Observed Day after Eruption when Lava Reached 200 Feet in Height

Lava erupted from Mauna Loa 200 feet into the air. The dawn of the following day revealed a massive glow. The first eruption in almost 40 years is still going on.

The Hawaiian volcano, the largest on Earth at 13,000 feet above sea level, started erupting on November 27 at around 11:30 PM after several months of unrest.

On November 28, the crater could be seen emitting a "massive glow," according to a Facebook update from Volcanoes National Park.

According to a report from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) published on November 28, 2022, at 4:55 PM local time, the eruption is currently concentrated in the Northeast Rift Zone and is not endangering any nearby communities.

The eruptions from three of Mauna Loa's upper fissures have produced lava fountains that are as tall as 200 feet.

Mauna Loa Rift Zones

Although the lava has begun to flow downward, it has come to a halt 11 miles away at a height of 10,000 feet from Saddle Road, better known as Route 200, which is a road that spans the entire width of the island.

The Northeast Rift Zone may experience more vents opening even though the HVO does not anticipate the upper fissures to reactivate. Hilo and Kona are two of the communities that are located near the Northeast Rift Zone of the volcanoes.

According to the USGS, there isn't any lava flowing toward the Southwest Rift Zone right now, and no property is in danger.

Since 1984, Mauna Loa has not erupted. During this eruption, no one was injured, but the lava flow blocked the roads and damaged power lines.

James Hickey, a senior lecturer in geophysics and volcanology at the University of Exeter in the UK, told Newsweek that it is noteworthy, among other things, because Mauna Loa has not erupted since 1984, despite having done so more frequently in the past. The town of Hilo has been repeatedly threatened by lava flows during previous eruptions of Mauna Loa but has escaped harm each time, sometimes by a narrow margin.

Kīlauea

Numerous volcano watchers from around the world have become interested in the eruption. The park is anticipating a surge in visitors hoping to see a rare, simultaneous eruption from Mauna Loa and Kīlauea.

Another volcano on the island, Kīlauea, is found on its southeasterly coast. Since September 29, 2021, lava has been spewing from the summit lava lake, but the eruption has been contained.

Park is Open

Rajeev Nair, a University of Calgary earth science professor, told Newsweek that it is a dynamic situation because the eruption has indeed moved to the Northeast Rift Zone.

Rhonda Loh, the superintendent of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, said that together with our colleagues at the USGS and Hawai'i County Civil Defense, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park keeps a close eye on Mauna Loa. Although the park is open right now, visitors should be ready and informed.

According to the National Park Service, from Kīpukapuaulu, Mauna Loa Road is closed to traffic, and it is closed to bicycles and foot traffic from the first cattle guard. The summit caldera is also closed.