The Eruption of Mauna Loa: What You Need to Know
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Chapter 1: Mauna Loa Awakens
For the first time in almost four decades, Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet, has come to life. Local reports indicate that it began erupting, sending molten lava soaring up to 60 meters into the night sky at approximately 11:30 PM on November 27th. This marks the 34th eruption in the volcano's documented history, which dates back to 1843.
Mauna Loa boasts an impressive volume of at least 75,000 square kilometers (about 18,000 square miles), surpassing the collective size of all the Hawaiian islands. Its summit reaches an altitude of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) above sea level. While this volcano is undeniably colossal, experts assert that there is no immediate danger to the local population of around 200,000. However, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has cautioned that the situation remains “very dynamic,” with the potential for rapid changes in lava flow and location.
Section 1.1: Historical Context
Mauna Loa, which translates to "Long Mountain," last erupted in 1984. It is one of five active volcanoes in the region, alongside Hualalai, Kilauea, Kohala, and Mauna Kea. Among these, Kilauea is known for its frequent activity, while Mauna Kea is the tallest.
Volcanic Activity and Its Impact
Living in Hawaii might feel like paradise, but residents are all too familiar with the consequences of volcanic eruptions. The Kilauea eruption in 2018 was particularly devastating, obliterating hundreds of homes and covering an estimated 1.4 cubic kilometers (0.34 cubic miles) with molten rock. To visualize the scale of this eruption, consider a colossal cube of lava towering 0.7 miles high—roughly three times the height of the Empire State Building, according to USGS.
While volcanic eruptions make for thrilling news stories, some may believe that such activity is on the rise. However, volcanologists clarify that current global volcanic activity is actually at normal levels. The perception of increased eruptions is largely due to heightened media coverage and public interest.
“Though it may seem that volcanic activity is escalating, this is not the case. We shouldn’t be overly concerned about global volcanic activity,” they explained.
With approximately 1,300 active volcanoes around the world, between 60 and 80 eruptions are reported annually, with some volcanoes erupting multiple times. Nevertheless, the past decade has seen some remarkable volcanic events.
Chapter 2: Recent Volcanic Events
One of the most significant eruptions in recent history occurred at the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano, situated 30 kilometers southeast of Tonga. Earlier this year, it produced the largest volcanic eruption on record. The resulting sonic boom was audible as far away as Alaska, and the eruption sent plumes of smoke soaring over 12.2 kilometers into the atmosphere, obliterating a small, uninhabited island.
This video discusses the potential impacts and safety measures regarding volcanic eruptions like that of Mauna Loa.
The eruption caused significant infrastructural damage across the region, affecting phone lines, roads, and residences due to subsequent tsunamis.
“The umbrella cloud extended about 500 kilometers (300 miles) at its peak,” noted Michigan Tech volcanologist Simon Carn in a statement to NASA. “This is comparable to the Pinatubo eruption and ranks among the largest in the satellite era. The involvement of water likely enhanced the explosivity compared to a purely magmatic eruption like Pinatubo.”
This video highlights the ongoing eruption at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai and its far-reaching effects.
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