Hawaii volcano alert level lowered for observing

©Health & Fitness Journal. FILE PHOTO: Mauna Loa volcano erupts, seen from Mauna Kea near Hilo, Hawaii, U.S. December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo

(Health & Fitness Journal) – Emissions of lava and volcanic gas from Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, dropped on Saturday, the US Geological Survey’s (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

As a result, the observatory downgraded the alert level for the volcano to a watch from the previous alert level, with the lava being confined to a small area.

Below a guard alert level, a breakout is underway but poses limited dangers.

Mauna Loa’s eruption began in late November for the first time since 1984, ending its longest dormant period in recorded history.

The lava flow front in the Humu’ula Saddle region stagnated 1.9 miles (3.06 km) from the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as the Saddle Road, and no longer poses a threat, the observatory said.

The behavior of the volcano suggests that the eruption may end soon. However, an inflationary trend from Mauna Loa’s summit accompanies the reduced activity, the observatory said.

“There is a small possibility that the eruption will continue with very low eruption rates,” it said.