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What if Mauna Loa erupts?

What if Mauna Loa erupts?

If the next eruption is explosive, ash could drift into the airspace near the Hilo and Kona airports, cutting off flights. And if lava was to cover a major highway, Trusdell says “we’re talking about impacts to tourism, economy, distribution of goods, people going to work. It may not even have to consume one house.

How do you evacuate a volcanic eruption?

If you are NEAR, DOWNSTREAM or DOWNWIND of a volcano during an eruption:

  1. Stay out of valleys and low lying areas that lead from the mountain.
  2. Consult the simplified hazards maps to determine whether you are in a lahar hazard zone.
  3. Prepare as you would for floods.
  4. Become familiar with evacuation routes in your community.

How do people prepare for Mauna Loa?

How can you prepare for a Mauna Loa eruption? The most important thing you can do is to have a personal response plan—especially if you live in or near the red zone. Nowadays, people pack “go” bags containing essential items in case you have to leave your house under an evacuation order.

Why did the Mauna Loa volcano erupt?

Six large vent structures eventually formed in this area around the active vents. Lava channel blockage caused an overflow of the main lava channel leading from the “2,900-m vents” of the 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. Lava spills over the collapsed side levee to feed new flows.

How do you get to Mauna Loa volcano?

The summit area of Mauna Loa may be accessed from two trailheads: Mauna Loa Road: 7.5 mi (12.1 km) from Mauna Loa Lookout to Puʻuʻulaʻula, 11.6 mi (18.7 km) from Puʻuʻulaʻula Cabin to Summit Cabin. Elevation gain is significant.

Why do we need to evacuate during volcanic eruption?

Follow the evacuation order issued by authorities and evacuate immediately from the volcano area to avoid flying debris, hot gases, lateral blast and lava flow. Be aware of mudflows. The danger from a mudflow increases near stream channels and with prolonged heavy rains.

Did Mauna Loa cause a tsunami?

Damage from Earthquakes Mauna Loa has also caused earthquake damage. These earthquakes can also trigger landslides and tsunamis. An erupting Mauna Loa triggered a massive earthquake on April 2, 1868, with an estimated magnitude of 8.0, causing a landslide and a tidal wave that took many lives and destroyed property.

What type of volcano is the Mauna Loa?

shield volcano
Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on the planet. Meaning “long mountain” in Hawaiian, it is the quintessential shield volcano in its shape— signified by broad, rounded slopes. The volcano makes up roughly 51% of Hawaiʻi Island and stands 13,678 feet (4,170 m) above sea level.

How did Mauna Loa erupt?

The 1950 eruption of Mauna Loa began on June 1 and continued until June 23. Fissures opened up along the Southwest Rift Zone for a distance of over 12 miles. First, floods of liquid lava poured out of the vents and a cloud of fume rose two miles into the air. That activity lasted about four hours.

When do you have to evacuate during a volcano eruption?

Evacuating During Volcanic Activity. If you live downhill of a rift zone and an eruption breaks out above your house, you will be ordered to evacuate the area at the appropriate time.

How often does the Mauna Loa volcano erupt?

During the past 3,000 years, Mauna Loa has erupted lava flows, on average, every 6 years. Since 1843, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times, averaging one eruption every 5 years. Dates, locations, durations, and other facts about Mauna Loa eruptions are compiled in ” Geology & History .”

What to take with you during a volcanic eruption?

Follow the orders of Civil Defense, who are informed by HVO scientists of the location of flows. Keep a list of items to take with you in the event of evacuation: irreplacable documents, financial records, medications, easily transported valuables, and sufficient supplies to sustain you for several days.

What causes a shield volcano to erupt in Hawaii?

The collapse results from evacuation of the underlying magma chamber. In shield volcanoes, like in Hawaii, the evacuation of the magma chamber is a slow drawn out processes, wherein magma is withdrawn to erupt on from the rift zones on the flanks.