1. Topics
  2. Mauna Loa eruption

Mauna Loa eruption

Roland Christen
 

For those who are interested,

The Mauna Loa eruption on Hawaii Island is continuing and lava is now flowing down the mountain to the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The telescopes on Mauna Kea are not in any danger but if the lava continues to flow it may cut across the major highway that goes to Hilo. The observatories can still be reached from Weimea which is to the north and west. Lava is flowing east down the mountain.

Our home and observatory is far away from this activity and would never be impacted by any of the volcanoes on the island. Right now the access road to the USGS climate observatory at the 11,000 ft level on Mauna Loa has been over-run by lava, so this facility is now not accessible. The observatory has not been impacted by lava at this time.

This is the second major eruption on the island in the last 5 years, Kilauea having spread lava over the south-east of the island and destroying a large number of homes in its path. The Mauna Loa eruption is not heading towards any communities, it's impacting a wild area of the land between the two large mountains. According to reports, the mountain is putting on quite a show, especially at night, and can be seen from all parts of the island. We were there only 2 weeks ago and normally we would have made our annual trip this week, but things didn't work out for us. Sure would have liked to see this spectacle.

Rolando


ROBERT WYNNE
 

Was there in 1984 and caught a flight on the spur of the moment. The pilot flew around the island for passengers to get a look at the lava flows. Got a Jeep and headed to the road up to the Detention Center the uphill hike was bright with huge swamp gas explosions that were latet told exceeded 3,500'. Those explosions were as exciting as the lave flow. Next day got to hike over cooled new flows and ruined my hiking boots. They looked like they had been bounced over a running belt sander. There was Pele's hair all over the place. -Best, Robert 

On 11/30/2022 6:52 PM Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:


For those who are interested,

The Mauna Loa eruption on Hawaii Island is continuing and lava is now flowing down the mountain to the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The telescopes on Mauna Kea are not in any danger but if the lava continues to flow it may cut across the major highway that goes to Hilo. The observatories can still be reached from Weimea which is to the north and west. Lava is flowing east down the mountain.

Our home and observatory is far away from this activity and would never be impacted by any of the volcanoes on the island. Right now the access road to the USGS climate observatory at the 11,000 ft level on Mauna Loa has been over-run by lava, so this facility is now not accessible. The observatory has not been impacted by lava at this time.

This is the second major eruption on the island in the last 5 years, Kilauea having spread lava over the south-east of the island and destroying a large number of homes in its path. The Mauna Loa eruption is not heading towards any communities, it's impacting a wild area of the land between the two large mountains. According to reports, the mountain is putting on quite a show, especially at night, and can be seen from all parts of the island. We were there only 2 weeks ago and normally we would have made our annual trip this week, but things didn't work out for us. Sure would have liked to see this spectacle.

Rolando


Roland Christen
 

Sounds like you had a great view.

Rolando



-----Original Message-----
From: ROBERT WYNNE <robert-wynne@...>
To: main@ap-ug.groups.io
Sent: Wed, Nov 30, 2022 9:16 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-ug] Mauna Loa eruption

Was there in 1984 and caught a flight on the spur of the moment. The pilot flew around the island for passengers to get a look at the lava flows. Got a Jeep and headed to the road up to the Detention Center the uphill hike was bright with huge swamp gas explosions that were latet told exceeded 3,500'. Those explosions were as exciting as the lave flow. Next day got to hike over cooled new flows and ruined my hiking boots. They looked like they had been bounced over a running belt sander. There was Pele's hair all over the place. -Best, Robert 
On 11/30/2022 6:52 PM Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:


For those who are interested,

The Mauna Loa eruption on Hawaii Island is continuing and lava is now flowing down the mountain to the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The telescopes on Mauna Kea are not in any danger but if the lava continues to flow it may cut across the major highway that goes to Hilo. The observatories can still be reached from Weimea which is to the north and west. Lava is flowing east down the mountain.

Our home and observatory is far away from this activity and would never be impacted by any of the volcanoes on the island. Right now the access road to the USGS climate observatory at the 11,000 ft level on Mauna Loa has been over-run by lava, so this facility is now not accessible. The observatory has not been impacted by lava at this time.

This is the second major eruption on the island in the last 5 years, Kilauea having spread lava over the south-east of the island and destroying a large number of homes in its path. The Mauna Loa eruption is not heading towards any communities, it's impacting a wild area of the land between the two large mountains. According to reports, the mountain is putting on quite a show, especially at night, and can be seen from all parts of the island. We were there only 2 weeks ago and normally we would have made our annual trip this week, but things didn't work out for us. Sure would have liked to see this spectacle.

Rolando


Donald Rudny
 

Just want to point out to all that although the eruption is exciting to see, the situation here is very problematic because of the fact that if the flow closes off Inouye Highway (Saddle Road), many will be cut off from their jobs in Kona if they live in the Hilo area.  They can still access Kona, but at a great inconvenience and expense.  Let’s hope this stops soon before that happens.  Attached is a map of the recent location of the flow.  Right now it’s about 3.5 mi from Saddle Rd.

IMG_6506.png

Don Rudny
P.O. Box 106
Pepeekeo, HI 96783-0106

312-209-5870

On Nov 30, 2022, at 4:52 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:


For those who are interested,

The Mauna Loa eruption on Hawaii Island is continuing and lava is now flowing down the mountain to the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The telescopes on Mauna Kea are not in any danger but if the lava continues to flow it may cut across the major highway that goes to Hilo. The observatories can still be reached from Weimea which is to the north and west. Lava is flowing east down the mountain.

Our home and observatory is far away from this activity and would never be impacted by any of the volcanoes on the island. Right now the access road to the USGS climate observatory at the 11,000 ft level on Mauna Loa has been over-run by lava, so this facility is now not accessible. The observatory has not been impacted by lava at this time.

This is the second major eruption on the island in the last 5 years, Kilauea having spread lava over the south-east of the island and destroying a large number of homes in its path. The Mauna Loa eruption is not heading towards any communities, it's impacting a wild area of the land between the two large mountains. According to reports, the mountain is putting on quite a show, especially at night, and can be seen from all parts of the island. We were there only 2 weeks ago and normally we would have made our annual trip this week, but things didn't work out for us. Sure would have liked to see this spectacle.

Rolando


dummyfile.0.part
weems@...
 

I was there during the 1997 Kilauea eruption, but all the tourist flights were booked. Since I had enough student pilot hours, I was able to rent a Cessna 172 and hired an instructor to go fly over it myself. Awe inspiring sight. I hope this one doesn’t reach the Saddle road.

Chip
Marj Christen
 

Yes, that would be a great problem, indeed.

 

Clear Skies,

Marj Christen

Astro-Physics

11250 Forest Hills Road

Machesney Park, IL 61115

Phone: 815-282-1513

www.astro-physics.com
Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/astrophysicscorp 

 

From: main@ap-ug.groups.io <main@ap-ug.groups.io> On Behalf Of Donald Rudny
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 11:14 PM
To: main@ap-ug.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-ug] Mauna Loa eruption

 

Just want to point out to all that although the eruption is exciting to see, the situation here is very problematic because of the fact that if the flow closes off Inouye Highway (Saddle Road), many will be cut off from their jobs in Kona if they live in the Hilo area.  They can still access Kona, but at a great inconvenience and expense.  Let’s hope this stops soon before that happens.  Attached is a map of the recent location of the flow.  Right now it’s about 3.5 mi from Saddle Rd.

 

Don Rudny

P.O. Box 106

Pepeekeo, HI 96783-0106

 

312-209-5870



On Nov 30, 2022, at 4:52 PM, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:



For those who are interested,

 

The Mauna Loa eruption on Hawaii Island is continuing and lava is now flowing down the mountain to the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The telescopes on Mauna Kea are not in any danger but if the lava continues to flow it may cut across the major highway that goes to Hilo. The observatories can still be reached from Weimea which is to the north and west. Lava is flowing east down the mountain.

 

Our home and observatory is far away from this activity and would never be impacted by any of the volcanoes on the island. Right now the access road to the USGS climate observatory at the 11,000 ft level on Mauna Loa has been over-run by lava, so this facility is now not accessible. The observatory has not been impacted by lava at this time.

 

This is the second major eruption on the island in the last 5 years, Kilauea having spread lava over the south-east of the island and destroying a large number of homes in its path. The Mauna Loa eruption is not heading towards any communities, it's impacting a wild area of the land between the two large mountains. According to reports, the mountain is putting on quite a show, especially at night, and can be seen from all parts of the island. We were there only 2 weeks ago and normally we would have made our annual trip this week, but things didn't work out for us. Sure would have liked to see this spectacle.

 

Rolando

 

 

dummyfile.0.part
Shawn Quinn
 

I've climbed Mauna Loa twice.  The last time I was on the Big Island was in May 2018 and I was able to see the 200 ft lava fountains in Leilani Estates.  It was quite an experience.  The USGS maintains excellent up to date information on the on-going eruption:

https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa

There are recent videos, images, maps, and status reports.

Shawn  

Color map of eruption
Pete Lardizabal
 

Thanks for the link Shawn!

Amazing photos and videos!

😎

Pete

On Dec 1, 2022, at 7:05 PM, Shawn Quinn <quinnfamily@...> wrote:

I've climbed Mauna Loa twice.  The last time I was on the Big Island was in May 2018 and I was able to see the 200 ft lava fountains in Leilani Estates.  It was quite an experience.  The USGS maintains excellent up to date information on the on-going eruption:

https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa

There are recent videos, images, maps, and status reports.

Shawn  

Color map of eruption

M Hambrick
 

My recollection of the geology of the Hawaiian Islands is that the hot spot that formed the islands has moved from northwest to southeast over the past thousands of years, making Kauai the oldest, and the Big Island the newest of the main islands. The good news in this is that Roland and Marj's house in the northwest corner of the island is in a pretty good spot.

Mike
ROBERT WYNNE
 

Think it's due the movement of the Pacific plate over the hot spot. The hot spot remains in one spot while the Pacific plate advances NNW over time leaving a trail of  islands. I believe the hot spot is located in the central Pacific due the thinness of the earth's crust near the center of the Pacific ocean. -Best, Robert

On 12/01/2022 7:17 PM M Hambrick <mhambrick563@...> wrote:


My recollection of the geology of the Hawaiian Islands is that the hot spot that formed the islands has moved from northwest to southeast over the past thousands of years, making Kauai the oldest, and the Big Island the newest of the main islands. The good news in this is that Roland and Marj's house in the northwest corner of the island is in a pretty good spot.

Mike

1 - 10 of 10