Photo courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey
On the big island of Hawaii, the news is good -- so far. The eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano, which began late Sunday, is “not posing an imminent threat to downslope communities,” say officials.
Mauna Loa’s eruption triggered an all-hands emergency response yesterday as fissures at the volcano’s summit sent lava fountains up to 200 feet into the sky.
While some residents have chosen to voluntarily leave their homes, there are no mandatory evacuations ordered and all schools remain open. Officials are also telling visitors they don’t have to cancel their travel plans to Hawaii Island.
Instead, the message from emergency management authorities is to remain vigilant.
Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, last erupted on April 15, 1984.