Maunaloa volcano update: rate of lava flow slowed down and decreased its advance
Fri, 9 Dec 2022, 06:04 06:04 AM | BY: MARTIN
Pulsating lava fountains at Fissure 3 vent yesterday morning (image: USGS)
The latest Mauna Loa lava flow map and statistics (8 December, 10:00 AM local time) (image: USGS)
Lava flows continue to ooze out from Fissure 3 on the northern slope, but decreased its advance this morning towards the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road), currently about 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from there.
The lava started to overflow channels near the vent where it extended to form a small spreading field of lava about 4.4 km from the vent as of 09:30 AM local time today. Lava channels below this spot appear to be out of lava and likely seem to no longer feed the main flow. The lava flow has become inactive along most of its length so far, but the flow front may appear to advance a bit as it settles.
The lava flow statistic (8 Dec, 10:00 AM local time)
Total area covered: 17.7 sq. miles
Area covered since 7 Dec: 0.07 sq. miles
Lava flow length: 12.1 miles
The gas plume contains 130,000 tonnes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions measured on 7 Dec.
Volcanic gas is rising high and vertically into the atmosphere before being blown to the west at high altitude, generating vog (volcanic air pollution) in downwind areas. The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network has detailed information about vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/. Forecasts for the dispersion of vog can be found on the Mauna Loa Vog Forecasting Dashboard: https://vog.ivhhn.org/content/mauna-loa-eruption.
#MaunaLoaEruptsDec 8, 2022• Fissure 3 continues to erupt but supply of lava is reduced.• Lava flows extend no farther than 2.75 mi (4.4 km) from vent & channels below that point appear drained of lava.• Flow front stalled ~1.7 mi (2.8 km) from Hwy.https://t.co/2rYXDac9Uv pic.twitter.com/8Pb0a45VPx
— USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) December 9, 2022
Significant changes to morphology at Fissure 3 spatter cone throughout the last night (source: Phillip Ong/Hawaii Tracker)
Big changes at #Maunaloa's Fissure 3 spatter cone last night and today evident in the USGS-HVO M8 camera today! #MaunaloaErupts #Maunaloa2022 pic.twitter.com/LUjkN9qXGu
— Philip Ong (@phil_hawaii) December 9, 2022
- All news about: Maunaloa volcano
- Information about: Maunaloa volcano
Previous news
Thu, 8 Dec 2022, 05:34
Maunaloa volcano update: activity remains unchanged
The eruption has been stable and continues on the Northeast Rift Zone. ... Read all
Wed, 7 Dec 2022, 15:00
Mauna Loa volcano (Hawaiian Islands, USA) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 30 November-6 December 2022 (New Activity / Unrest)
HVO reported that the Northeast Rift Zone eruption at Mauna Loa continued during 30 November-6 December. Fissure 4, at the lowest elevation, produced lava flows that moved NE at a rate of about 60 m per hour during 30 November-1 December and crossed the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory Road overnight. A smaller slower lobe of lava traveled E but had stalled by the afternoon of 1 December. ... Read all
Show more
