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December 5, 2022

Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone eruption continues. There is a visible gas plume from the erupting fissure fountains and lava flows.

Color photograph of lava channel
Aerial image of the fissure 3 lava channel where it is braided, high on the Northeast flank of Mauna Loa. In this section of the channel, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed several areas where lava overflowed from the channel, in one case due to a channel blockage downslope. Geologists also noticed large lava boats (up to 5 m or 16 feet) being transported down this section of the lava channel. USGS photo by H. Dietterich.
Color photograph of lava flow front
Aerial photograph of the fissure 3 lava flow front. Fissure 3 is erupting at an elevation of about 11,500 ft (3510 m) above sea level on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. As of 12 p.m. December 4 the flow front had advanced about 10 miles (16 km) downslope and was about 2.25 mi (3.6 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). USGS photo by L. DeSmither. 
Color photograph of lava spattering
Telephoto image of spatter being thrown from the fissure 3 on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone during the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. USGS image by L. Gallant.
Color photograph of lava spatter
This telephoto image of spatter being thrown from the fissure 3 on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa was taken on the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. USGS image by L. Gallant. 
Color photograph of volcanic vent
A view of Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone fissure 3 taken from the southwest by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews on the morning of December 4, 2022. Sustained fountain heights of 141 feet (43 meters) with bursts reaching over 232 feet in height (71 meters) were measured. The flanks of Mauna Kea can be seen on the left side of the photograph. USGS image by L. Gallant. 
Color photograph of volcanic vent
A view of the northern side of fissure 3 taken during an early morning overflight. Fissure 3 is located on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone and is feeding a lava flow that is 10.34 miles (16.70 km) long. The spatter erupted has built the cone to a height of 95 feet (29 meters). USGS image by L. Gallant. 
Color photograph of lava channel
Panoramic image showing the fissure 3 lava channel at a high elevation on Mauna Loa's Northeast Rift Zone. In field, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists measure how fast the lava is flowing. On average, the velocity of lava within the channel is estimated to be flowing at a rate of nearly 10 meters per secon (32 feet per second). USGS image by H. Dietterich. 

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