Mauna Loa eruption triggers flight disruptions; no evacuations ordered
Mauna Loa eruption triggers flight disruptions; no evacuations ordered
After 38 years of silence, the largest active volcano in the world is erupting again. Scientists at HVO said Mauna Loa began erupting around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
By Ben Gutierrez and HNN Staff
Published: Nov. 28, 2022 at 12:22 AM HST | Updated: 29 minutes ago
KAILUA-KONA (HawaiiNewsNow) - A long-feared Mauna Loa eruption started late Sunday, disrupting flights and triggering an all-hands emergency response. The good news right now: There are no mandatory evacuations in place, but shelters have opened to accommodate those opting to leave voluntarily.

It’s the first eruption of Mauna Loa in 38 years.

No schools are closed on Hawaii Island and emergency officials have shared a message of calm vigilance as lava largely remains at the volcano’s summit. They’re asking residents to stay tuned, but stress there is no immediate threat to downslope communities.

“Nobody is in danger at this time,” said Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth. “We’re not evacuating anybody.”

Here’s the latest:

The eruption began about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in Mokuaweoweo, the summit caldera of the volcano. Lava has largely been contained to the caldera, but has also migrated to a rift zone on the northeast side.
The biggest concern: If the lava flow migrates to rift zones — or cracks in the mountain — it could pose more risk to populated areas. Officials say no downslope communities are currently under threat.
Hawaii County has opened two shelters in Pahala and Kailua-Kona as a precaution. By about 9 a.m. Monday, about 100 people had opted to voluntarily leave and head to the Kona shelter.
An ashfall advisory was in place for Hawaii Island, but has since been canceled.
The eruption has also caused flight disruptions. Southwest canceled all flights into and out of Hilo on Monday, and said it would re-evaluate conditions for Tuesday. Hawaiian Airlines has not canceled flights.
The eruption comes after months of elevated earthquake activity at Mauna Loa.

U.S. Geological Survey webcams at the summit captured a long fissure erupting fountains of lava, which was spreading along the caldera floor.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said field crews have been deployed to gather on-the-ground intelligence and create new lava flow maps.


USGS said the early stages of Mauna Loa eruptions tend to be “very dynamic” and lava flow advances can change rapidly. But they said that lava has largely remained within the summit caldera.

“This is still a summit eruption,” said Ken Hon, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge.

However, he urged residents in downslope communities to have a plan if they have to evacuate. They should gather important papers and ensure their family members know where they’ll go if they need to leave.

For details on volcano hazard zones, click here.

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption began at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday
Community organizer Ikaika Marzo, who played a key role in the response to the 2018 Kilauea eruption, also sought to calm residents as the eruption started.

“It spilled out this morning, but It’s still far away,” he said. “It’s in the Pohakuloa Training Area and there’s a flat area between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa . Hopefully, it fizzles out.”