#Northeast Rift Zone
Volcano Watch: Beyond the lava; Maunaloa’s deformation story
The most recent Mauna Loa eruptions in 1975, 1984, and 2022 each offer unique insights into this volcano’s eruptive behavior.
Volcano Watch: “Seeing” inside Mauna Loa for the first time in almost 40 years
Analyzing lava samples can help us “see” inside a volcano, and results from the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa gave us a window into the volcano’s plumbing system for the first time in almost 40 years.
Additional closures of recreation areas as lava continues to flow at Mauna Loa
As lava continues to flow into the Northeast Rift zone from Mauna Loa’s summit caldera, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife has closed additional recreation areas on the mountain.
“Unzipping” of the Northeast Rift Zone; Mauna Loa eruption creates lava fountains
“We do not expect upper fissures to reactivate. However, additional fissures could open along the Northeast Rift Zone below the current location, and lava flows can continue to travel downslope,” the HVO advised.
HVO: Mauna Loa flow is similar to 1984 eruption; Long-term forecast discussed
“Eventually, this kind of lava flow is very similar to what happened in 1984, and could potentially threaten populated areas around Hilo. But we’re looking at somewhere around a week before we expect lava to get anywhere near that direction. We’re hoping that it will parallel the 1984 eruption and become more viscous as time goes on… hitting flatter slopes around the Saddle that slow it down,” said Hon.
Volcano Watch: Lessons for the future from Mauna Loa’s 1916 eruption
The year 1916 not only marked the birth of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, but also is remembered for the eruption of the Honamalino flow from the Southwest Rift Zone (SWRZ) of Mauna Loa 106 years ago.
Volcano Watch: Tiny Changes at Mauna Loa’s Summit Hold Big Clues
In the past six months, there has been an uptick in earthquake activity on Mauna Loa’s west flank and changes in the pattern of deformation at its summit. These changes are small, sometimes barely above the noise, but may be telling us that the magma system is evolving in important ways.
