HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice



Volcano: Mauna Loa (VNUM #332020)



Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: RED



Issued: Monday, November 28, 2022, 7:20 AM HST

Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Notice Number: 2022/H603

Location: N 19 deg 28 min W 155 deg 36 min

Elevation: 13681 ft (4170 m)

Area: Hawaii



Volcanic Activity Summary:

The eruption of Mauna Loa has migrated from the summit to the Northeast Rift Zone where fissures are feeding several lava flows. HVO staff on an overflight at approximately 6:30 a.m. HST confirmed fissures at high elevations within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are feeding lava flows upslope of the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory. Lava flows are not threatening any downslope communities and all indications are that the eruption will remain in the Northeast Rift Zone. Volcanic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele's Hair may be carried 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 rift zone eruption can be very dynamic, and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly.    

HVO is in close consultation with emergency management partners and will monitor the volcano closely to provide further updates on activity.  

Recent Observations:

[Volcanic cloud height] N/A

[Other volcanic cloud information] N/A

[Ballistics] N/A

[Lava flow/dome] N/A

[Lava flow] N/A



Hazard Analysis:

[General hazards] For discussion of Mauna Loa hazards, please see: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hawaii_hazards.html and https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2012/3104/

[Ash cloud] N/A

[Ashfall] N/A

[Lava flow/dome] N/A

[Mud flow] N/A

[Volcanic gas] N/A

[Other hazards] N/A

[Lava flow] N/A



Remarks:

Residents with questions about emergency response and resources that may be available to assist those at risk should consult https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/active-civil-defense-alerts-and-maps.  

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has closed the Mauna Loa Road from Kīpukapuaulu and the closure extends to the summit caldera; for more information please see https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.  

Vog information can be found at https://vog.ivhhn.org/. 

Background:

Since the mid-19th century, Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone has erupted eight times: in 1843, 1852, 1855–1856, 1880–1881, 1899, 1935–1936, 1942, and 1984. Lava flows from the Northeast Rift Zone can travel in north, west, northwest, south, and southwest directions.

 

Contacts:

askHVO@usgs.gov



Next Notice:

Updates on the status of Mauna Loa activity will be posted on the HVO web site at: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates 

You can receive these updates via email by subscribing to the free Volcano Notification Service at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/. Questions can be emailed to askHVO@usgs.gov. 

Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/

Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards

Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo

Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes