Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii erupts for first time after 40 years

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, began erupting on Sunday for the first time since 1984, ending its longest quiet period in recorded history.

The night sky above Hawaii’s largest island glowed a hellish red as bright, hot lava sprang forth at the volcano’s summit at around 11:30 p.m. local time on Sunday (0930 GMT Monday).

Lava is seen at Mauna Loa?s summit region during an eruption as viewed by a remote camera of the U.S. Geological Survey in Hawaii, U.S. November 28, 2022. USGS/Handout via REUTERS

The lava is contained within the summit and does not threaten Hawaiians living downslope, the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) said.

A general view of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, U.S., November 28, 2022 in this screen grab taken from a social media video. kelly/ @MAGAHAWAII/via REUTERS

The service warned residents on Monday that volcanic gases and fine ash may drift their way.

Mauna Loa rises 13,679 feet (4,169 meters) above the Pacific Ocean, 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.

Lava is seen at Mauna Loa?s summit region during an eruption as viewed by a remote camera of the U.S. Geological Survey in Hawaii, U.S. November 27, 2022. USGS/Handout via REUTERS

Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency said it had opened two shelters on the island as a precaution but also emphasized that there are no signs that lava will threaten populated areas and that it had not issued any evacuation orders.

About half of all recorded eruptions of Mauna Loa had been confined to the summit, the agency said.