Canada Global (Web News) The largest active volcano in the world, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, started erupting on Sunday for the first time since 1984, breaking the longest stretch of silence ever documented.
Volcano Eruption
Around 11:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, brilliant, hot lava erupted at the volcano’s peak, turning the night sky above Hawaii’s largest island a hellish crimson.
According to the US Geological Service (USGS), the lava is contained at the summit and at this time does not pose a hazard to Hawaiians who live downslope.
On Monday, the service issued a warning to residents that volcanic gases and fine ash could befall them.
One of the volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian islands, Mauna Loa rises 13,679 feet above the Pacific Ocean. The main city on the island, Hilo, was 5 miles away from the most recent eruption in March and April of 1984.
Despite stressing that there are no indications that lava may harm populated areas and that there have been no evacuation orders issued, Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency said it had opened two shelters on the island as a precaution.
According to the EPA, the top of Mauna Loa only experienced around half of the eruptions that were documented.
