Mauna Loa erupting at summit crater - 27/11/22

[DianeG]

Mauna Loa - Volcano Updates | U.S. Geological Survey

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issues updates and other types of Mauna Loa notifications as activity warrants.

www.usgs.gov

“At approximately 11:30 p.m. HST this evening, November 27, an eruption began in Moku‘āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening downslope communities. Winds may carry volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele’s hair downwind.

Residents at risk from Mauna Loa lava flows should review preparedness and refer to Hawai‘i County Civil Defense information for further guidance.

Based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa eruption can be very dynamic and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.

If the eruption remains in Moku‘āweoweo, lava flows will most likely be confined within the caldera walls. However, if the eruptive vents migrate outside its walls, lava flows may move rapidly downslope.

HVO is in close consultation with emergency management partners and will be monitoring the volcano closely to provide further updates on activity. As soon as possible, HVO will conduct aerial reconnaissance to better describe the eruption and assess hazards.”

 

[ScoopKona]

If we're lucky, it will stay in the caldera and that's that.

 

[Passepartout]

If we're lucky, it will stay in the caldera and that's that.

Madam Pele does as she wants.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

More info about Mauna Loa's eruption.

TS

 

[DaveNV]

I have to question how much predictive information they're getting from their monitoring. The Hawaii Tracker email I received last night three hours before the eruption said things had calmed down to a previous state, and that things seemed ongoing and very normal. Nothing indicated an eruption was imminent. Three hours later the volcano erupted. It seems almost like they were a bit surprised it happened.

Maybe I have higher expectations of the monitoring than they do. But isn't that what it's supposed to be tracking?

Dave

 

[TheHolleys87]

I have to question how much predictive information they're getting from their monitoring. The Hawaii Tracker email I received last night three hours before the eruption said things had calmed down to a previous state, and that things seemed ongoing and very normal. Nothing indicated an eruption was imminent. Three hours later the volcano erupted. It seems almost like they were a bit surprised it happened.

Maybe I have higher expectations of the monitoring than they do. But isn't that what it's supposed to be tracking?

Dave

I subscribe to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Status Report, which has been reporting daily the number of small earthquakes detected under Mauna Loa due to magma moving upwards in various locations. There was a decrease in that number over the last week, then an increase yesterday. It also reported deformations in various locations. I guess that’s the best they can do at this time - they can say the volcano is in a state of heightened unrest, but they can’t say that the ground will crack open and lava begin erupting at a specific date and time or a specific location. I think it’s great that they could at least tell people to pay attention and get ready for a possible eruptIon. It’s like when a hurricane is just entering the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean, and we don’t know whether it will hit us or somewhere else along the coast — we have to watch it and begin preliminary preparations

 

[DaveNV]

I subscribe to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Status Report, which has been reporting daily the number of small earthquakes detected under Mauna Loa due to magma moving upwards in various locations. There was a decrease in that number over the last week, then an increase yesterday. It also reported deformations in various locations. I guess that’s the best they can do at this time - they can say the volcano is in a state of heightened unrest, but they can’t say that the ground will crack open and lava begin erupting at a specific date and time or a specific location. I think it’s great that they could at least tell people to pay attention and get ready for a possible eruptIon. It’s like when a hurricane is just entering the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean, and we don’t know whether it will hit us or somewhere else along the coast — we have to watch it and begin preliminary preparations

I get the same email, I think. I referred to the one from last evening, timestamped 8:14PM, that started out with "We continue to monitor Mauna Loa but there are no significant changes in the current activity," and then the one timestamped 1:14AM that said, "After a summit earthquake swarm late this evening Mauna Loa erupted at the summit."

It just seemed like they were a bit surprised.

Dave

 

[TheHolleys87]

I get the same email, I think. I referred to the one from last evening, timestamped 8:14PM, that started out with "We continue to monitor Mauna Loa but there are no significant changes in the current activity," and then the one timestamped 1:14AM that said, "After a summit earthquake swarm late this evening Mauna Loa erupted at the summit."

It just seemed like they were a bit surprised.

Dave

I didn’t take it that way. All along, I’ve seen it as “Mauna Loa might be getting ready to erupt, but we can’t be sure. We’re watching closely and will let you know ASAP if there’s a change.” Kind of like the 5-day forecast cone for a hurricane - there’s simply a limitation on their forecasting ability. And the fact that I got the notice of the eruption at roughly 4 AM Central time rather than in mid-afternoon as usual, told me they were watching closely and were ready to send out that notice timely.

PS the USGS emails I got when the number of earthquakes were decreasing didn’t say anything to the effect that things seemed normal. They just reported the number of earthquakes, where they were, that deformation was seen but inflation at the summit wasn’t. Kind of dry, just the facts, Ma’am! Maybe the Hawaii Tracker is different? The USGS subscription page is https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/.

 

[slip]

From Kona last night.

 

[slip]

Here's a short.

 

[slip]

And from the news.

State develops action plan as lava approaches key Hawaii Island highway

Lava has already cut across a private road.

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

 

[slip]

More information coming in.

State develops action plan as lava approaches key Hawaii Island highway

Lava has already cut across a private road.

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

 

[slip]

Lava has flowed to the northeast rift zone.

VAN/VONA - Mauna Loa RED/WARNING - Eruption moved to Northeast Rift Zone | U.S. Geological Survey

Eruption has moved to Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone. Local hazards include lava flows, ash and tephra fall, and heavy vog.

www.usgs.gov

 

[billymach4]

Ahh life in Paradise. Please stay safe if you are near this

 

[lynne]

They thankfully canceled the ash advisory island wide. We will be in for quite a bit of VOG during this time, it is overcast and gray in Kohala. Everyone on the island is posting pics from Kona, Hilo and driving on the saddle.

 

[ScoopKona]

The caretakers at the farm report 1/4" of ash and not much else. The next rain will wash it all away.

 

[Monkeyboy]

We are in Maui and heading to waikoloa in two days. what’s the risk to waikoloa?

 

[ScoopKona]

We are in Maui and heading to waikoloa in two days. what’s the risk to waikoloa?

Right now? Nothing.

It looks like it's going to go NE again like it did in 1984. But Mauna Loa is the most unpredictable of the volcanoes. Spin a Twister spinner. If a rift area opens up, Waikoloa could literally be buried. It's unlikely. But it's a possibility. My farm is also in danger. The risk is low. But the percentage chance is higher than zero.

 

[Monkeyboy]

Right now? Nothing.

It looks like it's going to go NE again like it did in 1984. But Mauna Loa is the most unpredictable of the volcanoes. Spin a Twister spinner. If a rift area opens up, Waikoloa could literally be buried. It's unlikely. But it's a possibility. My farm is also in danger. The risk is low. But the percentage chance is higher than zero.

thanks Scoop I hope your farm will be ok. As I understand it the flow is fairly slow and we should have time to evacuate? Debating on changing plans.

 

[lynne]

A friend took this photo from Kona pier last evening

 

[Luanne]

We are in Maui and heading to waikoloa in two days. what’s the risk to waikoloa?

I would look for the most current information here:

November 27-December 10, 2022 | U.S. Geological Survey

Mauna Loa had not erupted since 1984—its longest quiet period in recorded history.

www.usgs.gov

 

[artringwald]

Winds may carry volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele’s hair downwind.

NWS issues special weather statement, warning of Pele’s hair near Kilauea.

NWS issues special weather statement, warning of Pele’s hair near Kilauea

Pele’s hair, which is abrasive, can cause skin and eye irritation, similar to volcanic ash.

www.hawaiinewsnow.com

 

[slip]

A small word on travel.

Mauna Loa Eruption Will Alter Hawaii Travel In These Ways

A range of short and long-term impacts on Hawaii travel, as it is altered with the first such eruption in 40 years.

beatofhawaii.com

 

[slip]

Arial view.

 

[DaveNV]

it's so funny - I almost expected Mauna Loa's eruption to look different from Kilauea's. As if the magma/lava is somehow different. Silly me.

Dave