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Mauna Loa volcano (Hawai'i) activity update: alert level raised to yellow due to increase in seismic activity

Wed, 3 Jul 2019, 08:00 | BY: T
Earthquakes under Manua Loa during the past week (image: HVO / USGS)
Earthquakes under Manua Loa during the past week (image: HVO / USGS)
The alert level for the volcano has been raised to yellow two days ago. This doesn't mean that an eruption is expected to occur in a near future, but acknowledges that the volcano is currently preparing itself for its next eruption, which will come, sooner or later, but currently without possibility to indicate a specific time frame.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that "for the past several months, earthquake and ground deformation rates at Mauna Loa Volcano have exceeded long term background levels. An eruption is not imminent and current rates are not cause for alarm. However, they do indicate changes in the shallow magma storage system at Mauna Loa."

"Following a significant earthquake swarm in October 2018, HVO seismic stations have recorded an average of at least 50 shallow, small-magnitude earthquakes per week beneath Mauna Loa's summit, upper Southwest Rift Zone, and upper west flank. This compares to a rate of fewer than 20 per week in the first half of 2018. Shallow earthquakes are occurring in locations similar to those that preceded Mauna Loa's most recent eruptions in 1975 and 1984.

"During this same time period, GPS instrumentation and satellite radar have measured ground deformation consistent with renewed recharge of the volcano's shallow magma storage system. The current rate and pattern of ground deformation is similar to that measured during inflation of Mauna Loa in 2005 and again from 2014 - 2018.

"Together, these observations indicate the volcano is no longer at a background level of activity. Accordingly, HVO is elevating the Mauna Loa alert level to ADVISORY and the aviation color code to YELLOW." (HVO / USGS)

Previous news

Wed, 26 Jun 2019, 06:00

Mauna Loa volcano (Hawaiian Islands, USA) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 26 June-2 July 2019 (New Activity / Unrest)

HVO reported that during the previous several months earthquake and ground deformation rates at Mauna Loa were elevated above background levels. During the first half of 2018 the seismic network recorded fewer than 20 shallow, small-magnitude earthquakes per week. Following a significant earthquake swarm in October, the rate increased to at least 50 events per week beneath the summit, upper Southwest Rift Zone, and upper west flank. ... Read all
Sat, 8 Jun 2019, 08:34

Mauna Loa volcano (Hawai'i) activity update: slight increase of small earthquakes, but no signs of impending eruption

5-years trend of inflation of Mauna Loa volcano (image: HVO / USGS)
The Hawaiian volcano observatory (HVO) reported a slight increase in tiny earthquakes at shallow depths beneath the summit caldera as well as continuing trend of inflation. However, even though these are likely long-term precursors of the volcano preparing itself for its next eruption, current unrest does not merit an increase of the official alert level (green), and no eruption is expected in the near to medium-term future (weeks to months). ... Read all
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Maunaloa volcano
Shield volcano 4170 m / 13,681 ft
Big Island, Hawai'i, 19.48°N / -155.61°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5) Maunaloa volcano eruptions:
1832, 1843, 1849, 1851, 1852, 1855-56, 1859, 1865-66, 1868, 1870(?), 1871, 1872, 1873, 1873-74, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1879, 1880, 1880-81, 1887, 1892, 1896, 1899, 1903, 1907, 1914-15, 1916, 1919, 1926, 1933, 1935-36, 1940, 1950, 1975, 1984, 2022 (Nov-ongoing)
Typical eruption style
Dominantly effusive.
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Oahu-Kauai-Maui-Hawai'i (USA)
Hawaii - Birthplace of Islands
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no scheduled dates at present