The US Geological Survey has issued a warning to residents of the Big Island that an eruption “may be extremely dynamic, and the location and progression of lava flows can alter rapidly.”
As the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island continues to erupt and spew ash into the air, residents on its slopes have been advised to brace for the worst.
The world’s largest active volcano is spewing orange, incandescent lava in its first eruption in 38 years, and officials have warned locals to be prepared to flee if lava flows begin to approach residential areas.
The US Geological Survey has issued a warning to the roughly 200,000 residents of the Big Island that an eruption “may be quite dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can alter fast” even though the Mauna Loa eruption poses no immediate threat to settlements.
Governor David Ige stated, “At this time, no downslope towns are threatened by lava flows, and all indications are that the eruption will remain in the northeast rift zone.”
“Volcanic ash and possibly fine ash as well as Pele’s hair might be transported downwind. Those with respiratory sensitivity must therefore take steps to reduce their exposure.”
The term “Pele’s hair” refers to volcanic glass fibers.
Scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Ken Hon, stated that the eruption began late on Sunday night after a series of pretty large earthquakes (HVO).
Lava is erupting from the summit crater and vents along the northeast flank of the volcano, both of which are located far from inhabited regions.
Given the dangers posed by the lava, which is blasting 100 to 200 feet (30 to 60m) into the air from three separate fissures approximately 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2km) in length, officials encouraged the people to keep away.
Dr. Libby Char, head of the state’s Department of Health, stated that the current air quality on the Big Island is usually favorable, but that it is being closely monitored.
Additionally, the HVO has raised the aviation threat level from “yellow” to “red” due to the presence of airborne fumes and ash particles.
More on Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa is one of the five volcanoes that make up Hawaii’s Big Island, the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago.
Mauna Loa is a considerably larger neighbor of Kilauea, which erupted in a residential zone and destroyed 700 homes in 2018.
Some of Mauna Loa’s slopes are significantly steeper than Kilauea’s, so when it erupts, lava can flow much more quickly.
In less than three hours, the mountain’s lava traveled 24 kilometers (15 miles) to the ocean during an eruption in 1950.
El Salvador also on alert
On Sunday, authorities in El Salvador issued a warning to inhabitants living near the Chaparrastique volcano in the country’s east.
The observatory of the Environmental Ministry observed explosions in the core crater of the volcano located approximately 83 miles (135 kilometers) east of the capital. It stated that the intensity of the eruption was a 1 on a scale from 0 to 8.
The eruption began when the volcano hurled rocks and ash into the crater’s surrounding regions. There were no injuries recorded.
