By Manny Villa Mauna Loa is the biggest volcano on the planet and lies on the island of Hawaii extending about 75 miles from the southern tip of the island across the volcano's summit to the eastern coastline near Hilo. About 2 weeks ago, Mauna Loa was experiencing underground earthquakes due to magma below the surface. The magma beneath the surface started to expand the volcano's internal reservoir system which is what caused the earthquakes. However, these earthquakes would lead to something far more dramatic. On the night of November 27, 2022, Mauna Loa began to erupt along with a series of large earthquakes. This would be Mauna Loa's first time erupting in 38 years. At first Mauna Loa's eruption was not an immediate threat, but the people of the island were still warned that the eruption could be unpredictable. Fortunately, Mauna Loa is currently erupting far away from any towns. Nevertheless, Mauna Loa has a history of having very dynamic eruptions along with its lava flow being able to change directions in the early stages of eruption. Mauna Loa eruptions also eject lava at a very high rate which can be dangerous because, when the lava descends down the the sides of Mauna Loa, it travels at a very fast speed which requires quick and effective action.
As of now, the volcano has not violently erupted, but is still dangerous. The lava has emerged from the volcano’s summit crater and vents along the volcano’s northeast flank, but, as stated, it is far from homes and communities. Right now, the air quality of the island is still safe; however, if it continues to be active, the smoke can deteriorate the air quality overtime because of the sulfur dioxide. Mauna Loa is predicted to be active for one or two weeks. Scientists are hoping that it will follow what happened in 1984 and begin to slow down before it reaches any towns. However, if given enough time and the right conditions, the lava could reach the county seat of Hilo. On the southwest flank of Mauna Loa there is weak rock which is more vulnerable to leaking lava. It has already started to erupt from the northeast flank that is fortunately not facing any communities. If it erupts from the southwest flank, it can reach communities in hours or even days. Ken Hon, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge, says that it is unlikely that the two flanks will erupt simultaneously. As of November 30, the State of Hawaii was considering a possible shutdown of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway which connects Hilo and Kona. The lava flow was estimated to flow around the north side of Pu’u Huluhulu according to Ken Hon at a news conference Wednesday. The State is working to provide alternate routes for the Daniel K. Inouye Highway and is even thinking of ways to divert lava away from the roads. It is also estimated that the lava will arrive in about 2 days if it stays at its .8 mile per hour pace.
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