As we shared yesterday, Mauna Loa erupted for the primary time since 1984. At present, we wished to share a few of the photographs and useful data from the primary day.
100 to 200-ft Lava Fountains!
Previously 24 hours, the lava exercise has migrated from the summit caldera at Moku’aweoweo to a few fissures close to slightly below the summit on the Northeast Rift Zone. At the newest test on the morning of November 29th, solely one of many three fissure continues to be lively. From our statement, fissures are typically quick lived.
The fissures from this eruption have produced lava fountains. The estimates for the tallest lava fountain heights are between 100 and 200 toes or 30 to 60 meters. Wow!
Present eruption is posing no threats to native communities
As Hawaii County Mayor Roth acknowledged, “We’ve been instructed that the lava is heading in the absolute best path, which is away from our communities.” Lava is flowing downslope in a northeasterly path. The next map supplied by the USGS exhibits the lava location and path. The realm is uninhabited and roughly 10 miles away from the primary highways.
Vivid glows seen from miles away
The sight of lava flowing is really superior! Residents and guests have been in a position to observe a vibrant reddish, orangeish glow from Mauna Loa summit from miles away. The eruption has been seen from each the Kona and Hilo sides of Hawaii (Huge) Island.
Right here’s an excerpt from this report from West Hawaii Today,
Resident Sean Sommers was one in all many residents who ventured out within the wee hours to see the eruption that lit up the evening sky. Whereas pulled off Previous Saddle Highway round 5 a.m., he mentioned Monday’s eruption was the second time he’s witnessed Mauna Loa ship lava down its flanks. He added that his mother-in-law, who lives in Kawaihae, mentioned she had by no means seen such a vibrant glow from the mountain in her lifetime.
“It is a lot greater than 1984,” the long-time resident mentioned whereas snapping images of the orange glow together with his mobile phone within the cool evening air.
Over the following half-hour, the glow from the summit crater appeared to develop brighter. Round 5:30 a.m., images taken by a West Hawaii At present editor posted on the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Space confirmed channels or “fingers” of lava forming on Mauna Loa’s northeastern flank. By 5:45 a.m., the channels of lava flowing downslope have been clearly seen because the sky started to lighten within the morning hours.
Sources
Here’s a listing of useful and attention-grabbing sources for extra data:
Mauna Loa eruption updates from the USGS
Hawaii County Civil Defense page for volcano hazards
