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Mauna Loa

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Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth, is a shield volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its massive size comprises over half of the island’s surface area. Mauna Loa’s gently sloping form is characteristic of shield volcanoes, built by countless eruptions of low-viscosity basaltic lava flows. These flows have emanated from both the summit caldera, Mokuʻāweoweo, and the volcano’s two rift zones. While its summit reaches 4,169 meters above sea level, the volcano’s full height, measured from its base on the ocean floor, is over 9,000 meters. Mauna Loa’s frequent eruptions pose significant hazards to surrounding communities, primarily in the form of lava flows.

Location: Big Island, Hawaii, United States
Coordinates: 19.471288, -155.593117
Volcano Type: Shield

 

Mauna Loa’s Location

 

Mauna Loa’s Latest Status

2024: Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN

 

Mauna Loa’s Eruptive History

Year Eruptive Activity
1843 Eruption began in the summit caldera, Mokuʻāweoweo, then migrated to the northeast rift zone. Lava fountains reached heights of 300-400 feet. Flows traveled 30 miles to the sea in 8 days, impacting coastal villages.
1851 Eruption focused on the northeast rift zone, producing large volumes of lava. Flows reached the sea north of Hilo, destroying villages and fishponds.
1852 Short-lived eruption from the northeast rift zone. Flows advanced rapidly, but stopped short of Hilo.
1855-56 Moderate eruption with flows from the northeast rift zone.
1859 Primarily a summit eruption with lava flows contained within the caldera.
1868 Major eruption with a powerful earthquake (estimated magnitude 7.9), landslides, and a tsunami. Lava fountains erupted from the southwest rift zone, sending flows towards the sea and destroying villages. This eruption is considered one of the most devastating in Hawaiian history.
1880-81 Long-lasting eruption with flows from the northeast rift zone. Lava advanced towards Hilo, prompting the first attempts at lava diversion in Hawaii.
1899 Brief eruption from the northeast rift zone, with flows reaching the sea.
1903, 1907, 1914, 1916, 1919, 1926, 1933 Generally shorter eruptions, mostly limited to the summit caldera with little to no impact on populated areas.
1935-36 Eruption began in the summit caldera and migrated to the northeast rift zone. Lava flows threatened Hilo, and the U.S. Army Air Corps bombed the lava channels in an attempt to divert the flow.
1940 Eruption from the summit and southwest rift zone. Lava flows were again diverted using aerial bombing.
1942 Brief eruption during World War II, with flows from the northeast rift zone. Due to wartime restrictions, information about this eruption was limited.
1949 Eruption from the southwest rift zone, with flows reaching the sea.
1950 Major eruption with extremely high effusion rates. Lava fountains reached 500 feet, and flows reached the ocean in under 3 hours, destroying the village of Hoʻokena-mauka.
1975 Summit eruption with a short-lived fissure eruption on the northeast rift zone.
1984 Eruption from the summit, with flows advancing towards Hilo. The eruption stopped before reaching the city.
2022 Eruption began in the summit caldera and migrated to the northeast rift zone. Lava fountains reached 190 feet, and flows advanced downslope. The eruption lasted for approximately two weeks.

 

Mauna Loa Monitoring

For monitoring of United States Volcanoes, please refer to USGS.

 

Mauna Loa Images

 

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