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Spotlight

Where Mauna Loa's lava comes from — and why Hawaii's volcanoes are different from most

Gabi Laske, Professor of Geophysics, University of California, San Diego
Nov 30, 2022
Nov 30, 2022
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Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, began sending up fountains of glowing rock and spilling lava from fissures as its first eruption in nearly four decades began on Nov. 27, 2022.

Thermal imagery shows the Mauna Loa eruption, which began around 11:30 p.m. local time on Nov 27, 2022. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius. USGS.

Photos: Hawaii volcano eruption draws a crowd

Hawaii Volcano — People watch the eruption of Mauna Loa, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii. Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano erupted Monday for the first time in 38 years. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Marco Garcia

Hawaii Volcano — Car are parked near an ancient lava field as a lava flow colors the sky above Mauna Loa, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii. Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano erupted Monday for the first time in 38 years. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Marco Garcia

APTOPIX Hawaii Volcano — Lava flows down the mountain from the Mauna Loa eruption, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Marco Garcia

Hawaii Volcano — Spectators take photos as they watch the lava flow down the mountain from the Mauna Loa eruption, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Marco Garcia

Hawaii Volcano — Spectators watch the lava flow down the mountain from the Mauna Loa eruption, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, near Hilo, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Marco Garcia

Hawaii Volcano — The glow of the Mauna Loa eruption is seen through a grove of palm trees, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Kona, Hawaii. Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano erupted Monday for the first time in 38 years. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Marco Garcia