The largest volcano in the world, Mauna Loa, has erupted in Hawaii

The world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, has been spewing waves of hot lava and columns of ash and smoke in recent days. It is the volcano’s first eruption in 38 years on the archipelago’s largest island.

And while the eruption doesn’t immediately pose a threat to nearby communities, US authorities have urged the island’s 200,000 residents to be ready in case an evacuation is needed.

Evacuation may be necessary when lava flows towards inhabited areas. The location and progression of the lava flows could change rapidly, officials say.

Several eyewitnesses recorded footage of the volcano spewing:

The authorities urge those concerned to stay away, because the lava is squirting into the air up to sixty meters high. This occurs from three cracks which together are between 1.5 and 3 kilometers long. In addition, harmful volcanic gases such as sulfur dioxide are released.

At the moment, the air quality on the main island is good, says the director of the health service. This is measured continuously; air quality can decrease during the eruption. Experts think it could last up to two weeks, compared to previous eruptions of the volcano. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984.

The eruption began late Sunday evening after a series of quakes were observed, a scientist at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory told the AP news agency. Due to earthquakes, the volcano has long been under surveillance.

The image of a Mauna Loa spewing is a new experience for many islanders. The number of residents has more than doubled since 1980. More than a third of the population lives west of the volcano in the city of Kailua-Kona. About 45,000 people live in Hilo on the east side. But authorities are more concerned about the 5,000 people who live on the south side.

At the moment, the lava is flowing mainly from the northeastern part of the volcano, but scientists say it could happen in the southwest as well. If so, the lava may be able to reach inhabited areas within hours. By the way, experts say that the volcano has never erupted from two areas at once.

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that make up the main island of Hawaii. It is the southernmost island of the archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest volcano in the world. Measured from the seabed, the volcano is about 9 kilometers high. It stands just over 4 kilometers above sea level.

It is a so-called shield volcano. The eruptions are usually non-explosive. In general, less smoke and ash are also released.

Mauna Loa is much larger than its neighbor Kilauea, which erupted in 2018 which destroyed more than 700 homes. Some of Mauna Loa’s slopes are much steeper than those of Kilauea, so the lava can flow much faster.