Volcanic Events


Mauna Loa eruption – 28 November, 2022

Mauna Loa volcano started erupting at approximately 11:30pm HST on 27 November, 2022. The most recent activity summary was posted at 7:20am HST and reads as follows:

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.

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.    

Most of the monitoring is done from the air. One team of geologists was on the ground shortly today. For updates check the HVO Mauna Loa update website:

https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/volcano-updates

Coordination of academic research requests with the USGS-HVO will be handled through CONVERSE by the Hawaiian Scientific Advisory Committee (H-SAC). See H-SAC overview and proposal guidelines posted on the CONVERSE web site.