The science behind Mauna Loa’s on-going volcanic eruption

Recently, Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, erupted after 38 years.

Background:

• Mauna Loa is among Earth's most active volcanoes, having erupted 33 times.
• It last erupted in 1984 which led to destruction on the Island.
• It has produced large, voluminous flows of basalt that have reached the ocean eight times since
• It last erupted in 1984, when a lava flow came within 7.2 km (4.5 mi) of Hilo, the largest population center on the island.
• Mauna Loa is certain to erupt again, and with such a propensity to produce large flows, we carefully monitor the volcano for signs of unrest.

About Mauna Loa:

• It is the World’s largest active Volcano in the Island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean.
• The volcano makes up 51% of the Hawaii Island landmass.
• It is an active shield volcano with relatively gentle slopes.
• Lava eruptions from Mauna Loa are silica-poor and very fluid, and they tend to be non-explosive.
  
  

Significance:

• Its eruption remains important as the volcano covers a large area of the island.
• It gives the opportunity to the current scientist to study the volcanic phenomenon.

Type:

• Shield Volcano: A shield volcano is a broad volcano with sloping sides that is formed mainly out of runny lava that flows out of its central summit vent.
  • Examples of Shield Volcanoes: are Mauna Loa on the Island of Hawaii, Wolf volcano on the Galapagos Islands, and Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
    
    

Why the volcano is ‘very fluid’?

• Basaltic magma is high in temperature, very low on silica, and with low gas content.
• Basic lava, which is non-acidic and very runny.
• Gentle sides as the lava flow for long distances before it solidifies.
• No layers, as the volcano just consists of lava.