​Alert Level: WARNING, Color Code: ORANGE
2022-12-10 19:36:47 UTC

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Saturday, December 10, 2022, 9:36 AM HST (Saturday, December 10, 2022, 19:36 UTC)

MAUNA LOA (VNUM #332020)
19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Activity Summary:

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa continues. The fissure 3 (F3) vent continues to erupt with a reduced supply of lava and reduced gas emissions this morning. 

As of 7:00 a.m. today, December 10, a lava pond replaced the fountains at the F3 vent. The pond fed short lava flows that extended only 1.6 mi (2.6 km) from the vent but are already stagnating. The channels below this point appear drained of lava and no longer feed the main flow front. 

The inactive main flow front remains stalled about 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) when last measured on the afternoon of December 8. When seen this morning at 7 am, the front appeared to be in the same location. The inactive main flow front still glows at night and may inch northward very slowly as it settles. 

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates were also reduced to approximately 30,000 tonnes per day (t/d) as measured on December 8, 2022. The Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard has detailed information about vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/. Forecasts for the dispersion of vog can be found on the VMAP Vog Forecast Dashboard: http://weather.hawaii.edu/vmap/new/. 

Tremor (a signal associated with subsurface fluid movement) continues its slow and steady decline. This indicates that the magma supply to the vent is decreasing. 

The significance of the reduced supply of lava is not yet clear; it is common for eruptions to wax and wane or pause completely, but none of the 8 recorded eruptions from Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone returned to high eruption rates after those rates decreased significantly. Nevertheless, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor the current activity. 

There is no active lava within Moku'āweoweo caldera nor the Southwest Rift Zone. We do not expect any eruptive activity outside the Northeast Rift Zone. 

Most recent eruption map: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/mo...e-eruption-map 

Information on lava viewing: https://hawaii-county-volcano-hazard...ub.arcgis.com/ 

The network connection for our streaming video of the fissure 3 fountains has been going in and out. If it is working, you can view it at https://www.youtube.com/usgs/live 
​​​​​​

Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE
2022-12-11 00:35:48 UTC
HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Mauna Loa (VNUM #332020)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Previous Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Saturday, December 10, 2022, 2:35 PM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2022/H650
Location: N 19 deg 28 min W 155 deg 36 min
Elevation: 13681 ft (4170 m)
Area: Hawaii

Volcanic Activity Summary:Lava eruption from fissure 3 (F3) on the Northeast Rift Zone of Mauna Loa continues but with greatly reduced lava output and volcanic gas emissions. Most lava is confined to the vent in a small pond. The short lava flows active about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the vent yesterday have stalled. 

The flow front in the Humu'ula Saddle region has stagnated 1.9 miles (3 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) and is no longer a threat. 

High eruption rates will not resume based on past eruptive behavior and current behavior suggests that the eruption may end soon. However, an inflationary trend of Mauna Loa’s summit is accompanying the decreased activity and there is a small possibility that the eruption could continue at very low eruptive rates. 

For these reasons, HVO is reducing the volcano alert level from WARNING to WATCH, reflecting the limited hazards associated with the current activity. The aviation color code will remain at ORANGE, reflecting the uncertainty of continuing eruptive activity and the possibility of volcanic ash emissions. 

HVO scientists continue to closely monitor Mauna Loa and the active eruption site for any indication of changes to activity. 

The Federal Aviation Administration temporary flight restriction remains in place, extending from the surface to 1500 feet (457 meters) above ground level in the eruption area. See: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_2425.html 

For more information about the meaning of USGS volcano alert levels and aviation color codes, see https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/vo...s-us-volcanoes  

Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE
2022-12-11 19:28:06 UTCHAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Sunday, December 11, 2022, 9:28 AM HST (Sunday, December 11, 2022, 19:28 UTC)

MAUNA LOA (VNUM #332020)
19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGEActivity Summary:

The Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa may still be active. Incandescence is restricted to the cone that formed around the fissure 3 vent, there was no observable activity anywhere on the rest of the flow field overnight. 

As of 7:00 a.m. today, December 11, the M8 webcam shows very little incandescence and no lava movement in the F3 vent. The channels below the vent appear drained of lava and no longer feed the main flow front. 

The inactive main flow front has stagnated about 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) when last measured yesterday morning, December 10. The inactive main flow front still glows at a few spots at night and may inch northward very slowly as it continues to settle. 

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates continue to be reduced; on December 9, the emission rate was approximately 20,000 tonnes per day (t/d). The Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard has detailed information about vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/. Forecasts for the dispersion of vog can be found on the VMAP Vog Forecast Dashboard: http://weather.hawaii.edu/vmap/new/. 

Tremor (a signal associated with subsurface fluid movement) is no longer detectable; summit and Northeast Rift Zone inflation started on December 7 and is continuing. 

The significance of the continuing inflation while the flow field is inactive is not yet clear; it is common for eruptions to wax and wane or pause completely, but none of the eight recorded eruptions from Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone returned to high eruption rates after those rates decreased significantly. Nevertheless, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor the current activity. 

There is no active lava within Moku'āweoweo caldera nor in either rift zone. Satellite imagery shows the entire 2022 flow field cooling and no longer active. 

Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE
2022-12-12 19:35:34 UTC

​​​​​​​HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT
U.S. Geological Survey
Monday, December 12, 2022, 9:35 AM HST (Monday, December 12, 2022, 19:35 UTC)

MAUNA LOA (VNUM #332020)
19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGEThe Northeast Rift Zone eruption of Mauna Loa may still be active at the fissure 3 (F3) vent but all 2022 lava flows appear to be inactive. 

As of 7:00 a.m. today, December 12, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory overflight found only residual incandescence and no lava movement in the F3 vent; as they were leaving the field crew heard small explosions accompanied by sprays of spatter from the west end of the fissure 3 (F3) vent. The channels below the vent appear drained of lava and no longer feed the main flow front. 

The inactive main flow front remains stalled about 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) when last measured the morning of December 10. The inactive main flow front still glows at a few spots at night and may inch northward very slowly as it continues to settle. 

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates continue to be reduced; on December 10, the emission rate was approximately 2,000 tonnes per day (t/d). The Hawaii Interagency Vog Information Dashboard has detailed information about vog: https://vog.ivhhn.org/. Forecasts for the dispersion of vog can be found on the VMAP Vog Forecast Dashboard: http://weather.hawaii.edu/vmap/new/. 

Tremor (a signal associated with subsurface fluid movement) is no longer detectable; summit and Northeast Rift Zone inflation continues. 

The significance of the continuing inflation while the flow field is inactive is not yet clear; it is common for eruptions to wax and wane or pause completely, but none of the eight recorded eruptions from Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone returned to high eruption rates after those rates decreased significantly. Nevertheless, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor the current activity. 

There is no active lava within Moku'āweoweo caldera nor in either rift zone. Satellite imagery shows the entire 2022 flow field cooling and no longer active. 

Most recent eruption map: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/mo...e-eruption-map

Information on viewing the inactive flow front: https://hawaii-county-volcano-hazard...ub.arcgis.com/

Alert Level: ADVISORY, Color Code: YELLOW
2022-12-13 17:17:23 UTC

HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Mauna Loa (VNUM #332020)

Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Previous Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE


Issued: Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 7:17 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2022/H657
Location: N 19 deg 28 min W 155 deg 36 min
Elevation: 13681 ft (4170 m)
Area: Hawaii

Volcanic Activity Summary:

Mauna Loa is no longer erupting. Lava supply to the fissure 3 vent on the Northeast Rift Zone ceased on December 10 and sulfur dioxide emissions have decreased to near pre-eruption background levels. Volcanic tremor and earthquakes associated with the eruption are greatly diminished.

Accordingly, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) is lowering the Volcano Alert Level for ground-based hazards from WATCH to ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code from ORANGE to YELLOW. 

Spots of incandescence may remain near the vent, along channels, and at the flow front for days or weeks as the lava flows cool. However, eruptive activity is not expected to return based on past eruptive behavior. Summit and Northeast Rift Zone inflation continues.

HVO continues to closely monitor Mauna Loa for signs of renewed activity. Should volcanic activity change significantly a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be issued immediately.

Residents and visitors should stay informed and follow County of Hawai‘i and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guidelines. 

For more information about the meaning of aviation color codes, see https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/vo...s-us-volcanoes 

Remarks:Continuing hazards 

A vent on the west side of the fissure 3 cone remains incandescent and occasionally produces small explosions as trapped gases are released. The lava flows around the vent remain hot and unstable. The vent area is also cut by numerous ground cracks.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has closed the Mauna Loa Road from Kīpukapuaulu and the closure extends to the summit caldera; for more information please see https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.