Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano burst into life for the first time in 40 years, spewing lava and hot ash, US authorities said, as emergency crews went on alert early Monday on 28 November.
The eruption which began shortly before midnight Sunday on 27th November, flows of lava remained contained within the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, but it could pose a threat to nearby residents should conditions changed.
“At this time, lava flows are contained within the summit area and are not threatening down-slope communities”, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, nothing that residents of the area should review preparedness procedures. The agency said there was currently no threat to people living below the eruption zone, but warned that the volcano was volatile.