Mauna Loa erupting; county opens shelters as South Kona residents self-evacuate

After 38 years of silence, Mauna Loa is erupting.

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said the eruption began at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in Mokuaweoweo, the summit caldera of the volcano.

USGS webcams at the summit clearly showed a long fissure erupting fountains of lava which was spreading along the caldera floor.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially said that lava was contained to the caldera. But within two hours of the start of the eruption, residents on the Kona side of the volcano recorded images that appeared to show lava starting to flow down the mountain.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said, “All vents remain restricted to the summit area. However, lava flows in the summit region are visible from Kona. There is currently no indication of any migration of the eruption into a rift zone.”

On Twitter, the USGS said “There are some reports now that lava is overtopping to caldera to the south. We’re working to confirm those reports. But eruptive vents continue to be confined to the caldera for now.”